Guardians' Experiences with Mental Health Care for Adolescents With Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Guardians’ Experiences with Mental Health Care for Adolescents With Pediatric Bipolar Disorder by Saudia Y. George MHA, Kaplan University, 2014 BA, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, 2012 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Services Walden University June 2019 Abstract Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) is a growing public health problem in the United States, especially among adolescent children. Despite awareness of the diagnosis and the effects that it has on the child, little attention has been given to the effects that PBD has on the guardian. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the factors influencing guardians’ experiences related to PBD. Penchansky and Thomas’ Theory of Access and Family Systems Theory were used in this study to explore guardians lived experiences of PBD, its effects on the entire family system, and mental health service treatment. This approach was composed through interviewing 6 guardians caring for adolescents diagnosed with PBD. Interviews were conducted, transcribed and coded using NVivo12 software. The findings revealed the emergent themes as follows: disbelief of initial diagnosis, coping mechanisms, advice, barriers, burdens, stressors, and challenges. The themes described the experiences of guardians that led to feelings of denial, frustration, embarrassment, and resentment. Damaged relationships, medical problems, and financial hardships are only some of the challenges that guardians expressed during the interview. The issues that the guardians experienced provide evidence to fill the gap in the literature regarding effects on guardians. Further research into mental health services and guardians’ perceptions on PBD is needed. This study promotes social change by informing mental health providers of the feelings and stressors of the guardians of PBD patients, which may lead to improved care for the family unit.Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) is a growing public health problem in the United States, especially among adolescent children. Despite awareness of the diagnosis and the effects that it has on the child, little attention has been given to the effects that PBD has on the guardian. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the factors influencing guardians’ experiences related to PBD. Penchansky and Thomas’ Theory of Access and Family Systems Theory were used in this study to explore guardians lived experiences of PBD, its effects on the entire family system, and mental health service treatment. This approach was composed through interviewing 6 guardians caring for adolescents diagnosed with PBD. Interviews were conducted, transcribed and coded using NVivo12 software. The findings revealed the emergent themes as follows: disbelief of initial diagnosis, coping mechanisms, advice, barriers, burdens, stressors, and challenges. The themes described the experiences of guardians that led to feelings of denial, frustration, embarrassment, and resentment. Damaged relationships, medical problems, and financial hardships are only some of the challenges that guardians expressed during the interview. The issues that the guardians experienced provide evidence to fill the gap in the literature regarding effects on guardians. Further research into mental health services and guardians’ perceptions on PBD is needed. This study promotes social change by informing mental health providers of the feelings and stressors of the guardians of PBD patients, which may lead to improved care for the family unit. Guardians’ Experiences With Mental Health Care for Adolescents With Pediatric Bipolar Disorder by Saudia Y. George MHA, Kaplan University, 2014 BA, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, 2012 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Services Walden University June 2019 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated first to my Alpha and Omega Almighty God, my redeemer, my savior, and my strength. God’s divine grace and mercy kept me through the completion of this extraordinary milestone. Our lives do not belong to us! They belong to the people who believe, support, and stand by us! I also dedicate this dissertation to my late grandmother, Willa Veda Cooley (1939-2016) and my brother 2LT Engineer Officer Austin Theo McWhite (1995-2018). I wish you both were here to commemorate this achievement with me, but I know that I have made you both proud and you both are smiling down on me from Heaven. “Let Your Dreams Take Flight” Acknowledgements “Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established” Proverbs 16:3 My profound appreciation goes to my higher being, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who nurtured and carried me during every challenge and rewarding moment of this journey. In spirit and prayer, God has blessed me throughout this enduring journey with the strength to face challenges and experience rewards with style, grace, and aplomb. This dissertation represents a journey that was extremely challenging and monumentally rewarding; it surpassed my wildest imagination. The challenge tested my endurance, discipline, patience, and intelligence. The reward resulted in new friendships, more meaningful professional and personal relations, a deeper appreciation of mental health, and a healthier but calmer disposition. I extend a heartfelt gratitude to my loving parents, Theo and Sha’ron McWhite whose words of encouragement, value of education, and push for tenacity rings in my ears. I know many times you both did not understand the daily sacrifices I made to complete this journey, but your encouragement, your lively smiles, and hugs always lifted me up, gave me a sense of hope and responsibility, and kept me motivated even when I felt like giving up on my dream. I would like to acknowledge my outstanding dissertation chairperson Dr. Cheryl Cullen for her mentorship, guidance, and patience. I am grateful to my committee member Dr. Joshua Bass for stepping in full throttle and setting high quality standards for my dissertation.