@article{ref1,
title="Alone together: A grounded theory study of experienced burden, coping, and support needs of spouses of persons with a bipolar disorder",
journal="International journal of mental health nursing",
year="2009",
author="Van Der Voort, Trijntje Y. G. and Goossens, Peter J. J. and Van Der Bijl, Jaap J.",
volume="18",
number="6",
pages="434-443",
abstract="Bipolar disorder is a chronic and severe mental disorder. Little is known about the experiences of the spouses of such patients. A grounded theory study was undertaken to examine the burden for spouses living with a partner with a bipolar disorder and to explore how they cope and what support they need. Fifteen spouses and ex-spouses were interviewed; they experienced heavy burden and found themselves to be ‘alone together.’ Their coping process is found to involve appraisal of the situation and attempts to achieve a balance between self-effacement and self-fulfilment. While support can clearly reduce experienced burden, the spouses surprisingly receive virtually no professional support. A theory is developed that constitutes a starting point for the development of adequate support for spouses.<p />",
language="",
issn="1445-8330",
doi="10.1111/j.1447-0349.2009.00634.x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0349.2009.00634.x"
}