Social factors and suicidality in bipolar disorder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Qualitative interviews investigating the role of appraisals of factors related to social communication in the suicidal thoughts and acts of people who experience bipolar disorder.
IRAS ID
141691
Contact name
Rebecca Owen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Research summary
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common, severe and enduring mental health condition. Within the UK, prevalence rates range between 1.5 and 2%. While it is possible to live alongside and/ or manage the impact of BD for many, BD is a source of considerable burden.
Suicidal thoughts, behaviours and attempts are considered to be serious health concerns. Bipolar spectrum disorders are considered serious mental health disorders and the prevalence rate of suicide in bipolar disorder has been documented as 19%. This is 12-15 times higher than the general population.
Negative perceptions of social support have been demonstrated to be involved in the pathways leading to suicidal thoughts and acts in those experiencing mental health disorders and in sub-clinical populations. However, there is a lack of studies examining suicidality from a psychological perspective in those with bipolar disorder.
The current study is the first part of a four phase study investigating the role of appraisals relating to social communication in the suicidal thoughts and acts of people who experience bipolar disorder. The current ethics application is for study 1 only. Study 1 will involve interviewing individuals with experience of bipolar disorder in order to identify service user led perceptions of which social factors lead to, maintain, and worsen suicidal thoughts and feelings. The interviews will be semi-structured and allow participants to talk at length about their experiences. Participants will be given the choice of taking part in the interviews face-to-face or over the phone. Results from the current study will be used to inform the design of the other phases of the programme by ensuring that social factors which service users perceive as important in the pathway to suicide are included in the cross-sectional, longitudinal and Experience Sampling Methodology studies.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0846
Date of REC Opinion
30 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion