Effectiveness of Family-Based Interventions in Reducing Risky Behaviors and Improving Family Relationships among Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is one of the most serious mood disorders in adolescents, characterized by severe mood fluctuations, irritability, poor impulse control, impaired communication skills, and difficulties in social adjustment. This disorder is associated with an increased risk of engaging in high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, aggression, self-harming behaviors, and academic decline. In addition to its direct impact on the adolescent’s quality of life, bipolar disorder disrupts family relationships and imposes significant psychosocial stress on family members. Given that the family serves as the primary source of social support and plays a crucial role in adolescents’ development and recovery, employing family-based interventions can be instrumental in alleviating clinical symptoms and promoting mental health. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of family-based interventions in reducing risky behaviors and improving family relationships among adolescents with bipolar disorder. This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The study population consisted of adolescents aged ۱۳ to ۱۸ diagnosed with bipolar disorder, identified by a psychiatrist based on DSM-۵ criteria in Tehran. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received ten sessions of family-based intervention, including training in communication skills, problem-solving, emotion regulation, restructuring maladaptive interactions, and enhancing mutual family support. Data were collected using the Adolescent Risky Behavior Questionnaire, the Family Relationship Quality Scale, and a structured clinical interview. The findings revealed that, after the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in risky behaviors (such as aggression, substance use, and risky sexual behaviors) and marked improvements in positive communication, empathy, and family cohesion compared to the control group. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of family-based interventions in improving the mental health of adolescents with bipolar disorder and strengthening the family’s supportive function. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of incorporating family-focused approaches into therapeutic and preventive programs for adolescents with bipolar disorder. Family-based interventions can reduce the psychological and economic burden on families, contribute to the development of culturally adapted treatment protocols, enhance the effectiveness of mental health interventions, and inform preventive policymaking at the national level.

Keywords:

Bipolar Disorder , Adolescents , Risky Behaviors , Family Relationships , Family-Based Interventions