Investigating the Risk Factors and Causes of Bipolar Disorder among Young Adults in Awka South Local Governmment Area of Anambra State.

Abstract

The study was carried out to inspect the risk factors and causes of bipolar disorder amongst young adults 20-30 in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State. Three research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 19,880 (20-30)of the aged in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra state. The sample for the study was 180 selected using purposive sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a 15- item questionnaire which was validated by three experts in the Faculty of Education. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach statistics which yielded reliability coefficient value of 0.87 for the three clusters. This was considered high enough to confirm the instrument as reliable. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data collected. The findings of the study revealed the risk factors, causes, management and prevention strategies to bipolar disorder in young adults in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra. The implications of the study were highlighted and it was recommended that the state government should organize health awareness programmes and also support and care should be provided to caregivers and families of those with bipolar disorder. Additionally, suggestions for further studies were made.