Abstract:

Objective Even though the importance of illness perception in the clinical course of many physical diseases and certain mental disorders has been well documented, little is known about illness perception in bipolar disorder. This study reveals the relationship between illness perception, coping styles, and self-efficacy in patients with bipolar disorder. Secondly, to investigate the effects of these variables on the clinical course. Material and Method In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated a cohort of 157 subjects with bipolar disorder recruited from March 2021 to September 2021. Illness perception was measured using the Turkish version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Self-efficacy was assessed using the Self-Efficacy Scale. Coping was evaluated using the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Results Of 157 patients who had bipolar disorder ages’ mean was 42.08±12.92. 84 (53.5%) of these participants were female, 73 (46.5%) of them were male. Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire had a negative correlation between General Self-Efficacy Scale (p<0.001 r=-0.376) and had a negative correlation between The Ways of Coping Questionnaire’s subscales planful problem-solving (r=-0.286 p<0.001) positive reappraisal (r=-0.337 p<0.001) escape-avoidance (r=0.216 p=0.020). Linear regression analysis was performed to predict the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, it was found that a significant regression model [F (5,151) =13.769 p<0.001], and 29%, of the variance in the dependent variable, were explained by the independent variables. Conclusion This study demonstrates that illness perceptions are linked with self-efficacy, coping style, and clinical characteristics in patients with BD. Interventions that increase favorable illness perceptions and decrease negative illness perceptions may improve disease outcomes.

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