RecruitingObservational

Partners of parents with bipolar

This study, called "Partners of parents with bipolar," is for people living in the UK who are partners of someone with bipolar disorder and are also raising a child together. We know that caring for a partner with bipolar and co-parenting can be challenging, and we want to understand the unique experiences and support needs of these partners. Through surveys and interviews, we aim to gather insights into their well-being and how they can best be supported. All this information will help us create a helpful toolkit for social care workers, equipping them to offer better care. Your involvement could make a real difference in improving support for families affected by bipolar disorder.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Lancaster University

Enrolment target

150

Start

09 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

27 Feb 2027

• Partner of a parent with bipolar • Living with partner and child • Parent with bipolar has at least one child, up to 18 years old, for whom they have parental responsibility.

What is this study about?

This study is called 'Partners of parents with bipolar' and it's designed for people in the UK who are the partners of someone living with bipolar disorder and who are also raising a child with them. Bipolar disorder can cause big shifts in mood, which can make daily life and parenting tough. Often, the partners of those with bipolar disorder take on a caregiving role while also bringing up children.

We know these partner-carers face many emotional and practical challenges, but there isn't much research specifically about their well-being and what support they need. This study aims to fill that gap. We want to understand what kinds of support would be most helpful, how they would prefer to receive it, and what factors in their lives influence these needs. Our goal is to use this information to work with carers and professionals to create a useful guide or ‘toolkit’ for social care workers.

This toolkit will help social care workers better understand and support partners caring for someone with bipolar disorder. By taking part, you're not just sharing your story; you're helping us to improve the support system for many other families like yours. The results of this study could lead to more effective and understanding support services for caregivers.

Key takeaways

Focuses on partners caring for someone with bipolar and co-parenting.
Aims to understand their unique needs and experiences.
Uses surveys and interviews, all done remotely.
Results will help create a toolkit for social care workers.
Designed to improve support for families living with bipolar.
Participation will be acknowledged with vouchers.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old. You must be in a relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder, and you both must be living together with a child or children under 18 years old. Importantly, the parent with bipolar disorder needs to have parental responsibility for at least one of these children.

This study is specifically for people living in the UK. You also need to be able to understand written English and comfortably use a computer for online questionnaires, as most of the study will be done digitally.

You wouldn't be able to join if you live outside the UK, if you live separately from your partner or child, or if you find it difficult to understand written English or use a computer.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you the partner of someone with bipolar disorder?
Do you live with your partner and at least one child (under 18) for whom the parent with bipolar has parental responsibility?
Do you live in the UK?
Can you understand written English and comfortably use a computer for online forms?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study will last about 21 months in total. This time frame includes three main parts. First, there's an online survey that will ask about your well-being, what kind of support you need, and your experiences with care assessments. This survey is designed to be completed at your own pace, anytime, day or night.

Secondly, some participants will be asked to take part in an interview. These interviews will be done remotely (online or over the phone) and will allow us to understand your experiences in more detail. This part helps us get a deeper understanding than a survey alone can provide. Finally, a small group of carers and professionals will work together to develop the toolkit based on what we learn from the surveys and interviews. All parts of the study can be done from your home.

To show our appreciation for your time, you'll receive vouchers for taking part in each stage of the study.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer the benefit of helping to improve support for other caregivers like yourself, as your experiences will directly inform a new toolkit for social care workers. However, reflecting on your challenges and mental health in surveys or interviews might bring up some difficult emotions; we understand this. To minimise this, survey questions were carefully designed with input from experienced carers, and support resources like Mind, Bipolar UK, and the Samaritans will be provided. If you choose to be interviewed, the researcher is experienced, will offer breaks, and remind you that you don't have to answer any question you don't want to, and you can stop taking part at any time. Your comfort and well-being are important to us.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Preston, England

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to understand the experiences and needs of partners who care for someone with bipolar disorder and are also raising children, so we can create better support tools for social care workers.

How long will the study run for?

The study runs from January 2026 to April 2027, so about 15 months, though your individual participation might be shorter.

Will I have to travel to take part?

No, all parts of the study, including the survey and interviews, will be conducted remotely, meaning you can take part from home.

Who is paying for this research?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK.

What if I feel upset during the study?

We understand this might happen. We will provide a list of support organisations like Mind and the Samaritans, and interviewers can offer breaks and remind you that you can skip questions or withdraw at any time.

How to find out more

Ragin John

Ragin.John@lscft.nhs.uk +44 1524 522391 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.