Mental Health of Family Members Caring for Individuals Living with Bipolar Disorder

Globally, around a third of the adult population suffers from a mental disorder such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental illness which adversely impacts on the lives of the affected individuals and their family members. BD has a strong influence on the family functioning. The burden of care and responsibility makes it challenging for family members to focus on their lives and future. The aim of the study was to develop and describe a conceptual framework to facilitate the empowerment of family members who care for individuals living with BD. A qualitative research design, which is exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature, was used in this study to explore and describe family members’ mental health when caring for individuals living with BD. The researcher developed and described a conceptual framework based on the research findings of phenomenological interviews with a purposefully selected sample of family members who care for individuals living with BD. The results show that family members were disempowered when caring for individuals living with BD. The central concept of the conceptual framework was identified based on the results as the facilitation of empowerment of family members who care for individuals living with BD. The researcher recommends that the conceptual framework to facilitate the empowerment of family members who care for individuals living with BD be implemented at the mental health clinics. It is also recommended that the conceptual framework be incorporated into the curriculum of psychiatric nursing.