Abstract:
Background
Bipolar Mood Disorder significantly impacts individuals' social participation, a key
component of mental well-being and quality of life. In Bangladesh, where research on
this topic is limited, understanding the challenges faced by individuals with BMD is
crucial for developing effective interventions. Stigma, discrimination, and a lack of
social support often exacerbate the difficulties experienced by individuals with BMD,
limiting their ability to engage in daily activities and achieve societal inclusion.
Aim: To identify the level of experiences, challenges, and level of restriction on social
participation among individuals with bipolar mood disorder.
Methods:
A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with 102 individuals diagnosed
with BMD, recruited from the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital and
Rabia Noor Mental Health Day Care Center. Data were collected through face-to-face
interviews
using structured questionnaires and the Participation Scale.
Sociodemographic characteristics and levels of participation restriction were analyzed
using descriptive statistics with SPSS software.
Results
The findings revealed that young adults aged 18–28 years constituted 69.6% of the
participants, with males representing 70% of the sample. Employment and economic
constraints were significant concerns, as only 35.3% felt they had equal job
opportunities as their peers. Severe to extreme restrictions in social participation were
reported by 54.9% of respondents, with lower education levels and prolonged illness
duration being major contributing factors. Stigma and discrimination further
exacerbated these challenges, negatively affecting confidence, mobility, and social
inclusion. However, nearly half of the participants expressed comfort in meeting new
people, indicating potential for resilience and improvement through targeted
interventions.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the critical barriers to social participation faced by individuals
with BMD in Bangladesh, emphasizing the urgent need for culturally tailored
interventions to address stigma and promote social inclusion. Peer-led support groups
and community-based programs emerged as promising strategies to enhance quality of
life and reduce participation restrictions. Further longitudinal and qualitative research
is recommended to better understand the long-term impacts of these challenges and
refine intervention approaches.
Description:
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational therapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.