SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ITS RELEVANCE TO RELAPSE AMONG PATIENTS WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

Abstract

Bipolar Disorder (BD) affects and is affected by the family atmosphere. About social
support and bipolar disorder, supporting partnerships tend to have beneficial impact on
avoiding a relapse and also improving medication commitment and strengthening the
individual's functionality. So, this study aims to assess the relationship between social
support and its relevance to relapse among patients with bipolar disorder. Method: A
descriptive correlational research design was utilized with a sample of 200 patients
diagnosed with bipolar disorder attending the Inpatient and the Out-patient Clinics of
Psychiatric Department of Mansoura University Hospital. Data was collected using two
tools: tool to assess socio-demographic characteristics and clinical data and the
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) tool. Results revealed that
more than one third of the studied sample (36%) was less than 30 years, more than half
(71%) were males, arround half of the studied sample (47.5%) were single , according to
the level of education (13%) were illiterate and (21%) read and write
(primary/preparatory), more than half of the studied sample (54%) had previous
psychiatric hospital admission from 5 to more than 10 times. Also half of the studied
sample had low social support and patients who had low and moderate social support
admitted to the hospital from 5 to 10 times and more. Conclusion: It can be concluded
from the present study that low social support increases the risk for relapse among patients
with bipolar disorder.

Keywords

Main Subjects