Marital Problems among Partners of Patients with Bipolar Affective Disorder

BACKGROUND: Partners of patients with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) have problems with their marital life. Identification of these problems is important to develop strategies to solve them for improving quality of life. AIMS: To identify marital distress and problem areas in their marital life among the partners of patients with BPAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to collect data from 125 participants, 59 males and 66 females, who were partners of patients with BPAD. The study was done in outpatient clinics of Community Mental Health Clinics of District Mental Health Program. Tools used for data collection included a semi-structured interview schedule to collect socio-personal data of partners of patients with BPAD and clinical data of the patient, Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI), and Problem Areas Questionnaire (PAQ). Purposive sampling technique was used. RESULTS: Majority of the participants (male - 55.9%, female -54.5%) expressed marital distress on CSI. Handling family finances and career/job decisions were the most problematic areas for male participants, whereas household tasks, handling finances, and career/job decisions were the most problematic areas for female participants. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of spouses of BPAD patients have marital distress in important areas of life, with a potential for long-term consequences in their lives.