Researchers at Lancaster University are currently recruiting people with bipolar who are parents of children aged 4-10. 

 Get involved

They would particularly welcome applications from male parents. This is because men are often underrepresented within research about parenting. It is important that the male perspective is represented.

Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention (IBPI)

This programme represents a crucial step forward in supporting parents with bipolar. It acknowledges the unique challenges people living with bipolar can face in their role as parents.

The programme strives to provide parents who have bipolar with the essential tools to create emotional and behavioural stability for their children.

It also offers the much-needed online support that can help someone manage stress and boost parental confidence.

IBPI background

Parenting can be especially challenging for people with bipolar due to the rollercoaster of managing your health and mood swings.

Juggling parenthood, managing emotions, and handling bipolar symptoms while being a present, confident parent is no easy task.

Research has shown that around 60% of children with parents who have bipolar can face their own mental health issues, which may lead to emotional and behavioural problems. These difficulties can increase stress for their parents and disrupt family life. 

Surprisingly, there are currently no available support programmes tailored specifically for individuals with bipolar.

IBPI is a comprehensive online programme designed to bridge this gap. The IBPI programme aims to provide parents with bipolar the tools they need to achieve emotional and behavioural stability for their children. By offering online support, IBPI also helps parents feel less stressed and more confident about their parenting skills.

To achieve these goals, the programme blends parenting support with practical training in managing bipolar symptoms. Accessible through electronic devices, IBPI covers areas, such as:

• Emotional management
• Stress reduction
• Making parenting enjoyable
• Helping children acquire new skills

Taking part

If you decide to take part in the study, all activities will be completed online and can be done from home. Participation will be for 48 weeks and you will be paid £60 for participation, which will involve: 

• An initial screening interview (15 minutes)  
• An eligibility check interview (30 minutes – 2 hours, depending on how much you want to share)  
• Questionnaires at 0 (first day when enrolled into study), 24, and 48 weeks (30 - 45 minutes each time)  

After this, you will be able to access IBPI as often as you like and follow your treatment as usual OR follow your treatment as usual and access our webpage of helpful, already-available resources.

There will also be some opportunities to take part in a one hour feedback interview, which will be paid £40. 

Find out more

You can see more details about the study and find out how to get involved here 

You can see patient information leaflets, including involvement payment information, here 

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Last updated: 15 May 2024