Influential Factors on the Family Functioning of Patients With Bipolar Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a recurrent psychiatric disorder with episodes of mania and depression. The severe and recurrent symptoms of BD can considerably influence patients' significant others and alter their lives and thereby, influence family functioning (FF).

This study aimed at exploring the influential factors on the FF of patients with BD.

This qualitative study was undertaken in 2021-2022 with the conventional content analysis method, adhering to the COREQ checklist. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 22 family members of BD patients and three healthcare providers, all purposefully selected from a psychiatric hospital in Hamadan, Iran. Data analysis was performed through Graneheim and Lundman's conventional content analysis.

Participants' experiences of the influential factors on their FF came into 20 categories and six main themes, namely family interaction, struggle for adaptation, role challenges, sexual behaviour challenges, financial problems and cultural backgrounds and conflicts.

Different personal, financial and sociocultural factors influence the sociocultural, financial, relational, sexual and role-related aspects of FF among the families of patients with BD.

Given the critical role of FF in the prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment and rehabilitation of patients with BD, healthcare authorities and providers need to carefully consider these influential factors when planning care.

This study offers valuable insight into the role of influential factors on the FF of patients with BD. The findings equip mental health nurses with a deeper understanding of these factors, enabling them to provide better support to relatives. Psychiatric nurses can adopt a participatory care approach that actively involves family members and provides stronger support for family caregivers.