Experiences of Functioning in Mood Disorders: Systematic Review and Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

A key responsibility of mental health nursing practice is enhancing recovery from mood disorders, including facilitating improvements in daily functioning. However, in mood disorders, current definitions and measurements of functioning are led by researchers and clinicians.

We aimed to gain a comprehensive qualitative understanding of patients' experiences of functioning in mood disorders (major depressive disorder [MDD] and bipolar disorder [BD]).

Databases were systematically searched for qualitative articles examining experiences of functioning in mood disorders. Findings were analysed and synthesised using inductive thematic synthesis.

Thirty-eight studies (n = 679, 43.5% BD, 61% female) from seventeen countries were included. While most studies were high quality, some (n = 4) had moderate to serious methodological issues. Four meta-themes were identified: sense of self; connection; mood management; and stigma. The contribution of stigma predominantly related to studies of BD rather than MDD.

This study highlights the potential breadth of functioning experiences described by people with mood disorders, ranging from general understandings of functioning (work, relationships) to broader aspects like sense of self and stigma.

Mental health nurses have an important role in addressing stigma and can offer strategies to improve mood management, connection, and sense of self, which will improve functioning and promote recovery for people with mood disorders.