Lived Experiences of Young Adult with Bipolar Mother Angkico, Carl Jeffrey F.; Arana, Emmanuelle H.; Castillo, Jane April M..; Dinglasan, Abegail Crissy R.; Gonzales, Arlyn C.; Ponce, Faye Alexa M. and Undazan, Sarah Joy G. 6

Thesis (Undergraduate) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, 2013;College of Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing 56

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ABSTRACT: This study focused on the psychosocial lived experiences of young adult with bipolar mother. Nowadays, families and professionals pay most attention to the mentally ill parent and ignore the children in the family. The children of a mentally ill parent and ignore the children in the family. The children of a mentally ill parent are an important consideration since they are greatly affected. This was conducted through qualitative descriptive phenomenological research utilizing the 9 point-Colaizzi's methodology wherein the researchers identified 5 key informants, 20 to 40 years old by means of purposive sampling. This study explores and deeply understands the essence of the lived experiences of young adult with bipolar mother. It focuses on the psychosocial aspects of their lives and the subjectivity of reality pointing out the need to understand how human views themselves and the world around them. Based from the gathered data and their analyses, the researchers were able to extract seven main themes from the informants significant statements. Each were saturated, discussed thoroughly and supported by related literatures that further amplify the researcher's analyses. These young adults narrated their experiences regarding social relationships, self-perceptions and their own way of dealing with such events brough about by their maternal mental condition. Upon interviewing and validating their narrations, the researchers were able to extract seven themes out of their stories; Facing the Difficulties, Prejudiced by Society, Detachment from Reality, Understanding Mother's Illness, Reception of Support, Interconnectedness with the Almighty and Looking at the Bright Side covering their psychosocial lived experiences throughout their life span. Enough attention and support and provision of needs must be given to these young adults by mental healthcare services. As the young adults portrayed their unique experiences, the researchers concluded that the life of young adult with bipolar mother is greatly affected by the situation from the behaviour and attitude of their mother. Foremost based on the results, the young adult uses defense information to the young adults on how they can appropriately deal with the problems encountered. The families should be given enough attention in order to combat the prejudiced attitudes to Bipolar Disorder that still exist in society. Efforts made by society are needed to help or give this people possibility of regaining a place in and feel part of society through offering them the opportunity to participate in emotional support and self-help groups, meeting others in similar situations, and also through adjusting work to reduce stress.

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