Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2017.322

DYADIC ADJUSTMENT AMONG HEALTHY SPOUSES OF BIPOLAR I AND II DISORDER PATIENTS

Aleksandra Arciszewska ; Department of Affective Disorders, Chair of Psychiatry, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
Marcin Siwek ; Department of Affective Disorders, Chair of Psychiatry, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
Dominika Dudek ; Department of Affective Disorders, Chair of Psychiatry, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the total dyadic adjustment (including satisfaction, cohesion, consensus and
affectional expression) among spouses of bipolar patients with I and II subtypes.
Subjects and methods: 82 subjects (46 women/ 36men) were enrolled in the study - 50 spouses of bipolar I (BD I) patients and
32 spouses of bipolar II (BD II) patients. We used an interview, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), and a questionnaire including
questions concerning basic socio-demographic data, the duration of marriage, as well as information about the patient's illness.
Results: The results indicate that BD I is likely to be more disruptive for life-partners and is associated with a lower dyadic
adjustment (assessed by the healthy spouse) than BD type II (p≤0.05). There are differences in DAS scales when specific episodes are
compared with each other as well (p≤0.01). Also patients' illicit substance use and co-morbidity were significant factors (p≤0.01).
Conclusions: We would like to emphasize that bipolar disorder affects marriage (even the healthy spouse) and that its different
subtypes (especially type I) as well as additional factors may be associated with significant deterioration of a relationship.

Keywords

bipolar disorder; dyadic adjustment; caregiving burden

Hrčak ID:

187292

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/187292

Publication date:

26.9.2017.

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