Smyth Kristin, Salloum Alison, Herring Jaclyn
Department of Social Work, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, USA.
Department of Social Work, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
J Ment Health. 2021 Feb;30(1):121-128. doi: 10.1080/09638237.2020.1713997. Epub 2020 Jan 30.
Early-onset bipolar disorder (EOBD) diagnoses have increased, yet much remains to be understood about its phenomenology. Research and treatment models developed for adult-onset bipolar disorder have largely overlooked qualitative inquiries and adolescent developmental considerations that influence course of illness.
The purpose of the current study was to obtain an understanding of the lived experience of interpersonal relationships and EOBD during adolescence through the retrospective report of emerging adults.
This study utilized a transcendental phenomenological design. A purposive sample of eight participants ages 18-25 participated in semi-structured interviews that explored the experience of interpersonal relationships and EOBD throughout adolescence.
Participants described their experiences across three broad themes: managing and coping with EOBD; effect of EOBD on relationships; and change and uncertainty. Sub-themes include knowledge and denial of illness, involvement of others in treatment, support, difficulty maintaining social functioning, isolation and secrecy, and changes in relationships.
Participants characterized adolescence as a period of constant, simultaneous challenges in symptom management, maintaining social functioning, and concurrent changes in family and peer relationships that provide interpersonal support. Future qualitative studies should explore the implications of normative social development and family functioning for the course of illness and treatment outcomes.
早发性双相情感障碍（EOBD）的诊断数量有所增加，但关于其现象学仍有许多有待了解之处。为成人期双相情感障碍开发的研究和治疗模式在很大程度上忽略了影响疾病进程的质性探究和青少年发育方面的考虑因素。
本研究的目的是通过新兴成年人的回顾性报告来了解青少年时期人际关系和早发性双相情感障碍的生活经历。
本研究采用先验现象学设计。选取了8名年龄在18至25岁之间的参与者作为目的抽样样本，参与了半结构化访谈，探讨了整个青少年时期人际关系和早发性双相情感障碍的经历。
参与者描述了他们在三个广泛主题下的经历：管理和应对早发性双相情感障碍；早发性双相情感障碍对人际关系的影响；以及变化和不确定性。子主题包括对疾病的认知和否认、他人参与治疗、支持、维持社会功能的困难、孤立和保密以及人际关系的变化。
参与者将青少年时期描述为一个在症状管理、维持社会功能以及家庭和同伴关系同时发生变化以提供人际支持方面不断面临挑战的时期。未来的质性研究应探讨规范的社会发展和家庭功能对疾病进程和治疗结果的影响。
