The effects of psychoeducation and motivational interviewing on treatment adherence and functionality in individuals with bipolar disorder

Abstract

Background: Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) encounter difficulties in adherence to treatment and functionality. Although it is known that psychosocial interventions such as motivational interviewing (MI) and psychoeducation are important in regard to improving adherence to treatment and functionality, the content and nature of these interventions remain uncertain.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of psychoeducation and MI on treatment adherence and functionality in individuals diagnosed with BD.

Method: In this study, a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with three groups was adopted. The study was completed with 119 participants in the MI (n = 32), psychoeducation (n = 31), and control (n = 56) groups.

Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the psychoeducation and MI groups in terms of treatment adherence compared to the control group (F = 32.672, p = 0.001, Partial η² = 0.364). Similarly, the psychoeducation and MI groups had significantly higher functionality levels compared to the control group, and significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the degree of improvement in functionality dimensions including the feeling of stigmatization (F = 8.433, p = 0.001, Partial η² = 0.129) and participation in social activities (F = 7.038, p = 0.001, Partial η² = 0.110).

Conclusion: It can be stated that psychoeducation and MI have positive effects in terms of improvement in treatment adherence and functionality in individuals diagnosed with BD.

Keywords: Bipolar disorder; Functionality; Motivational interviewing; Psychoeducation; Treatment adherence.