A Study to Develop and Test the Effectiveness of an Informational Booklet on Home Management of Patients with Bipolar Affective Disorder for the Family Members of Bipolar Affective Disorder Patients Receiving Treatment in Selected Hospitals of Delhi

Abstract

Mental health is still a neglected area in our society. The resentment, fear, shame, guilt are the common reactions faced by mentally ill people. Family has an important role when it comes to treating, rehabilitating, assisting an individual during illness. The aim of the study was to develop and test the effectiveness of an informational booklet on home management of patients with bipolar affective disorder for the family members of bipolar affective disorder patients receiving treatment in selected hospitals of Delhi. The research approach used for this study was Evaluative; sampling technique (purposive), Structured knowledge questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of Family members of Bipolar affective disorder patients and structured opinionnaire was used to determine the opinion of Family members, Doctors, Nurses and Social workers. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential Statistics. It was found that majority of the family members were parents and staying with the bipolar affective disorder patients. Most of the patients were male (26–35 years age group) and did not require hospitalization. Findings revealed that the informational booklet was effective in increasing knowledge of family members as mean posttest knowledge score was significantly higher than mean pretest knowledge score. Informational booklet was found usable by the family members and professionals. There was no significant relationship between the posttest knowledge score with selected variables. There is a need for research in the area of home management of bipolar affective disorder patients to develop better methods of educating and better practice in nursing care.

Keywords: Informational Booklet, Home management, Knowledge, Opinionnaire, Family members of bipolar affective disorder patients, bipolar affective disorder patients