The experiences of bipolar patients' families regarding stigma coping strategies in Tehran: a qualitative study.

Stigma and its consequences are an important issue in bipolar disorder patients and their families. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experiences of bipolar patients' families regarding stigma and coping strategies in Tehran. We conducted a qualitative study in a psychiatric hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2021. The study participants included bipolar patients and their families, as well as mental health professionals selected through a targeted sampling method. Data were collected using individual semi-structured interviews, field attendance, and note-taking. The Data was analysed by the content analysis method with an inductive approach, and the themes were extracted. The criteria of credibility, dependability, conformability, and transferability were included to support the accuracy and robustness of the data. Of the study participants (n = 27), 4 were bipolar patients, 20 bipolar patient's family members and 3 were mental health care professionals. Data analysis resulted in 1326 primary codes classified into 20 subcategories and 7 main categories and we concluded that bipolar patients' families use a variety of strategies to cope with stigma, including awareness, request for assistance, personal development, treatment adherence and responding to patient demand are helpful and some of them such as surrender and impulsivity have adverse results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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