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Interviewing bipolar patients and their families
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|May 1, 1980
Summary
Research interviews for bipolar disorder studies can provoke emotional distress in participants. Researchers must approach the case ascertainment phase with sensitivity to patient well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Investigating the genetic and environmental factors contributing to bipolar affective disorder requires comprehensive case ascertainment.
- Pedigree studies are crucial for understanding the inheritance patterns and familial aggregation of psychiatric conditions.
Observation:
- The research interview process, designed to identify symptoms of affective disorder, can inadvertently trigger psychological distress.
- Participants may experience heightened emotional responses due to the probing nature of questions about affect expression and related conflicts.
Findings:
- The case ascertainment interviews in this bipolar disorder study had a provocative effect on some individuals.
- Exposure of defended psychological conflicts during interviews can lead to emotional lability or distress in subjects.
Implications:
- Researchers must adopt a sensitive and ethically mindful approach during the case ascertainment phase of psychiatric studies.
- The potential for interviews to act as a therapeutic or destabilizing agent necessitates careful consideration of subject welfare and support mechanisms.