Partners of Parents with Bipolar
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the Wellbeing and Support Needs of Carers of Parents with Bipolar
IRAS ID
337057
Contact name
Steven Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Background to the Research:
Bipolar disorder is a common severe mental health issue. Many people living with bipolar disorder are parents. The extreme changes in mood which people with bipolar experience can make both parenting and day-to-day life difficult. Often parents with bipolar are cared for by their partners, who are also co-parenting their children. These partner carers experience many emotional and practical impacts, but there is little research on the specific well-being and support needs and experiences of partner carers.
Aims of the Research:
This research aims to understand the needs and experiences of partner carers. Our goal is to find out what needs partner carers have, how they want these needs addressed, and what influences these needs. We will use this information to work with carers and professionals to develop a toolkit to improve social care for these carers.
Methods:
The study will last 21 months and includes three work packages (WP):
WP1: Survey
This will measure well-being, support needs, and experiences with Care Act assessments of 150 partner carers.
WP2: Interviews
We will interview 30 partner carers to gain deeper insights into their experiences
WP3: Toolkit Development
Based on our survey and interview findings, we will co-produce a toolkit for social care workers about the needs of partner carers, working with 10 carers and 10 professionals.
Patient and Public Involvement:
A member of our team with lived experience as a carer will lead on coordinating input from partner carers throughout the project. He will form a carer reference group which will meet at the beginning of the study and monthly throughout input into how the study is run and how the results are shared.
Dissemination:
The toolkit is a key output, which will help social care workers better support carers of parents with bipolar.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0245
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion