부산대학교 도서관

Bipolarity is one of the most common genetically related mental health issues. The influence of genetics on bipolarity indicates the relevance of disclosure of bipolarity within families. Past research has indicated that such disclosure does not occur with the frequency that would be suggested by genetic patterns, and also indicates the difficulty that occurs for individuals when they develop symptoms of bipolarity in instances when family members have not disclosed their bipolarity to others in the family. Grounded in Communication Privacy Management Theory, the present study built on earlier research to examine disclosure patterns relating to bipolarity dependent upon the generational structure of the family in terms of bipolarity. Is disclosure of bipolarity affected by whether one's parent, child, or both have been diagnosed as or are suspected of having bipolar? Participants were obtained from websites for individuals who are bipolar and their family members. The survey instrument examined disclosure of various aspects of behavior related to bipolarity. The results indicate that the key factors affecting disclosure seem to be uncertainty, protection, identity, and stigma management. The more generations within a family that are bipolar, the more the topic is discussed. Growing up with a bipolar parent seemed to show a respondent the importance of talking about bipolarity. Uncertainty became particularly relevant when a family member was suspected of being bipolar but had not been diagnosed. Protection became particularly relevant when a parent feared that a child could be genetically predisposed to bipolarity. Protection overrode uncertainty, identity, and stigma concerns. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]