Background: People with bipolar disorder (BD) experience parenting challenges associated with mood fluctuations. This talk describes the development and evaluation of a novel web- based self- management approach (Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention; IBPI) to support parents with BD developed with individuals with lived experience of bipolar disorder.
Methods: IBPI content and structure was developed in collaboration with service users coordinated by a service user grant holder. Parents with BD with children aged 3- 10 years randomised to IBPI plus treatment as usual (TAU) or waitlist control (WL). IBPI offered 16 weeks access to interactive self- management information concerning BD and parenting issues. The trial was designed to access feasibility and acceptability as well as provide initial indications of potential benefits of IBPI. Feasibility was through recruitment, retention and web usage. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, 16, 24, 36 and 48 weeks. A nested qualitative study was conducted focusing on participant experiences of the IBPI intervention.
Results: The intervention and trial design were both feasible and acceptable. 97 participants were recruited with 90% retention to final follow- up. 77% of IBPI participants accessed the website. Child behaviour, parenting sense of competence and parenting stress improved significantly in IBPI compared to WL to end of intervention, sustained to 48 weeks. Qualitative feedback indicated participants’ valued this approach and made suggestions for further improvements.
Conclusions: Developing an online self- management support for parents with BD is feasible, with promising improvements in parenting and child behaviour outcomes. A definitive clinical and cost- effectiveness trial is required.