This study seeks to explore the challenges and difficulties faced by children raised by a
parent with bipolar disorder, with a specific focus on the experiences and memories of
daughters of these individuals. Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic-depressive
illness, is characteristically referred to as an episodic, yet lifelong and clinically severe
affective (mood) disorder. Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness, which is stressful
not only for patients, but also for family members. Very little work has been done to
define more precisely the family burden associated with the illness. Studies that do focus
on the impact of bipolar disorder on caregivers or families of the patient have looked at
the family as a whole. There seems to be a scarcity of research looking at the
experiences of children of parents with bipolar disorder. The children of individuals with
bipolar disorder are at high risk for developing a range of mental disorders. Overall,
parents with bipolar disorder tend to create a familial environment that is unstable and
lacking in structure. Therefore in addition to being at genetic risk for the development of
mental disorders, are exposed to a stressful familial environment that increases the risk
of psychopathology and difficulties. Despite the importance of assessing the impact
parental bipolar disorder can have on children, there is a lack of relevant literature.
A non-probability sample of eight female individuals raised by a parent with bipolar
disorder was selected from the student population at Wits University. Semi-structured
face-to-face interviews were used to gain in depth information regarding the memories
and experiences of these individuals. One interview was conducted per participant.
Once the data was collected, thematic content analysis was used in order to analyse
and draw conclusions from the data. From this method of analysis ten main themes were
found, as well as six sub themes.
The findings of this study suggest that bipolar disorder has a profound effect, not only on
the individual suffering from the illness, but on their children as well. Manic episodes
appear to be a particularly stressful time, featuring with great prominence in the
memories of respondents. Participants felt strongly that their family environment was
affected by their parent’s illness. In general it seemed as if participants with ill mothers
described a far more chaotic family environment as compared to those participants with
ill fathers. This study also found that knowledge and understanding help these
individuals make sense of their parent’s illness, seemingly providing a sense of power
and control. A number of participants mentioned the negative effects that stigma
associated with mental illness has on the families concerned, often leading to adverse
outcomes. In contrast to this, support and understanding by both healthcare
professionals as well as the broader community is considered indispensable. The
children of patients with bipolar disorder, in addition to being at genetic risk for the
development of mental disorders, are exposed to a stressful environment that increases
the risk of psychopathology and other difficulties. It is therefore imperative that further
research be conducted in this area, as relatively little is known about the long term
effects of the parent’s illness on their child.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/13911 |
| Date | 21 February 2014 |
| Creators | Valli, Raeesah |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf |
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