What does it mean to age well with bipolar disorder?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What does it mean to age well with bipolar disorder?
IRAS ID
293564
Contact name
Jasper Palmier-Claus
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 16 days
Research summary
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mood disorder that is characterised by severe affective states that cause significant impairment to people’s quality of life. Whilst there is a growing literature exploring experiences of BD in adult populations, there is insufficient evidence surrounding the needs and preferences of older adults with bipolar disorder, leading to inappropriate care often being provided. Older adults with BD are a particularly vulnerable group, as in addition to chronic mental health difficulties, evidence suggests that they experience isolation, frailty, loss of independence, and cognitive decline more often than people ageing without BD. Furthermore, long-term use of mood stabilising medication can cause renal failure, hypothyroidism and weight gain, creating further health disparities and leaving individuals extremely marginalised. Consequently, further research is needed to help inform person-centred care and reduce the health inequalities faced by this group.
This PhD project aims to better understand the priorities and presenting needs of older adults with BD to reduce the inadequate and unsuitable care that this group currently receives. To do this, two empirical studies will be conducted. Study 1 will involve recruiting 20 participants to take part in photo elicitation (taking photographs of aspects of their lives that represent ageing well/not well) before then using the photographs they take to prompt discussion in individual interviews following this. The data collected using these methods will be analysed using thematic analysis and will help to explore what ageing well means to older adults with BD.
Study 2 will again involve 20 participants, who will complete biographical narrative interviews before data collected is analysed using narrative analysis, to help us better understand the changing care needs of older adults with bipolar disorder in later life. Overall, the findings of these studies could help to encourage person-centred care and enhance services for this group.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0405
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion