Trial of Online Support Encourages Participation of Parents with Bipolar Disorder

Lancaster researchers are looking for parents with bipolar to test a new online intervention tool looking to improve wellbeing for both parents and children.

The Spectrum Centre is studying how online parenting support specifically for parents diagnosed with bipolar disorder can improve the wellbeing of both parents and children.

A team of NHS clinicians, university researchers and parents with bipolar have created the Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention (IBPI) online tool which combines parenting support with helpful strategies for managing bipolar. It has eight sections, including topics such as “managing emotions”, “working with strengths” and “making parenting enjoyable”. Sections take around 30 minutes each to complete and parents are free to access them whenever they want. It can be accessed on computers, mobile phones, or tablets.

The IBPI trial aims to find out how this tool can support parent’s and children’s well-being so paid participants are being recruited to test it out.

The study aims to recruit 342 parents with bipolar, who have a child aged 4-10 and live in the UK.

Lead investigator Professor Steven Jones said: “We aim to assess whether providing online parenting support (IBPI) for parents with bipolar disorder leads to their children having fewer behavioural and emotional problems. We also want to know whether the online support helps parents feel less stressed and more confident about their parenting and have fewer mood problems. If successful, the IBPI can be made widely available for parents with bipolar disorder.”