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Parenting among mothers with bipolar disorder: strengths, challenges, and service need
- Authors:
- VENKATARAMAN Meenakshi, ACKERSON Barry J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Family Social Work, 11(4), 2008, pp.389-408.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Ten mothers with bipolar disorder were interviewed, all judged to have fairly good insight into their condition. They identified as strengths in parenting: the importance of their children (sometimes shading into dependency upon them) and the need to prioritise their needs; their own positive personality traits; and learning from experiences with their own parents. Challenges included: behaviours during depressive phases that lead to an inability to do what is required for the child; behaviours during manic phases such as greater self-centredness, although several mothers reported that the energy boost helped in parenting; swings in symptoms and behaviours, leading to inconsistent parenting; discipline problems; and problem behaviours in the child. Perceived service needs included: help with discipline; support groups; crisis services; and help handling problem behaviour in children. The implications for social work research and practice are briefly noted.