The relationship between insight and coping attitudes in bipolar disorder patients

Bipolar disorder is thought to determine the insights and coping attitudes that affect a patient's compliance with treatment, which can positively affect the prognosis of the disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between insight and coping attitudes in bipolar disorder patients. This descriptive study was carried out with 127 volunteer patients who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and who were in a euthymic state. The Personal Information Form, Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) and Scale of Coping Attitudes (COPE) were used as data collection tools. We found positive correlations between the total COPE score, the total BCIS score and the self-reflectivity subscale score of the BCIS. A positive and significant correlation was also determined between the BCIS subscales and total scores and coping attitudes toward adaptation with the COPE subscales (p < 0.05). A positive and significant relationship was found between the insight scores and total coping scores of the patients and their coping attitudes toward adaptation. We found that when patients' levels of insight increased, their coping attitudes toward adaptation were used more frequently. This study revealed that individuals with high self-reflectivity can cope more effectively with the situations they face.