BipOlar Self-management Support (BOSS) Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Bipolar self-management support needs and care experience of those with and affected by bipolar disorder
IRAS ID
268898
Contact name
Jamie Kirk
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Research & Development
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a serious mental health condition that affects mood, with episodes of depression (very low and lethargic mood) and mania or hypomania (very high, overactive or agitated mood). It affects between 1-2% of the population and is associated with a range of negative health outcomes and distress for the person with BD and their families and friends. Although the main treatment for BD is medication, it is difficult for people with BD to manage their condition in the longer-term and relapse of symptoms is common. The long-term treatment success of BD often depends of the person developing self-management skills whereby they learn to recognise early signs of emerging symptoms and engage strategies to promote wellbeing. The provision of self-management advice and support is widely recommended for those with BD and their families and friends.\n\nThis project is an initial engagement study that aims to describe the self-management support needs and care experience of people with and affected by bipolar disorder. We aim to engage with people with BD and those who provide support to someone with BD (families or friends) as well as NHS staff involved in the care of those with BD, through interviews and focus groups within the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde area. We are interested in describing the experience of usual care, self-management support and barriers to self-management for individuals with BD and the aspects of recovery important to them. In addition, we are interested in describing the experience of families and friends and the support needs they identify. The findings of this study will support the development of self-management resources for individuals with BD and their families and friends, which we would evaluate and refine in a subsequent research study. \n
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
19/WS/0126
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion