Family caregiving in bipolar disorder: caregiver consequences, caregiver coping styles, and caregiver distress.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the consequences caregivers of outpatients with bipolar disorder are confronted with, the distress they experience and their coping styles.


METHODS
Caregivers (n = 115) were asked to complete the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ) to measure caregivers' consequences, the Utrecht Coping List (UCL) to measure caregivers' coping styles, and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to measure caregiver distress. Scale (sub)scores were calculated and relationships between the results were explored.


RESULTS
Caregiver consequences were found to be limited, although approximately 30% reported distress. Male caregivers used a more avoiding coping style and undertook activities to provide diversion. Female caregivers used a less active approach and sought less social support. Correlations were found between the IEQ overall score and its subscales 'tension' and 'worrying' and the UCL subscales 'palliative reaction pattern' and 'passive reaction pattern'. Distress appears to occur more often in caregivers who report more consequences, tend to use a more avoiding coping style, and have a more passive reaction pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should assess symptoms of caregiver distress. When caregiver distress is noticed, efforts should be undertaken to support the caregiver and teach them skills to cope effectively with the consequences they experience in order to stay well.
Goossens
P J J
PJ
Adhesie Mental Health Care Midden-Overijssel, Deventer, The Netherlands. pjj.gossens@hccnet.nl
Van Wijngaarden
B
B
Knoppert-van Der Klein
E A M
EA
Van Achterberg
T
T
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003710:Demography; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires