Abstract:
The immediate social microcosm surrounding diagnosed
individuals are often neglected. Partners of persons with
bipolar I disorder experience positive and challenging experiences of occupational engagement, informed by their partner role. Guided by Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
(IPA), in-depth interviews unearthed participants’ lived experiences to highlight challenging experiences of occupational
engagement, including, unmet occupational needs, occupational disharmony, and imbalance. Protective factors enhancing
occupational engagement included satisfactorily achieving
occupational needs and the experience of autotelic meaning. This study consolidated that exploring, understanding,
and addressing occupational needs for everyone, including
secondarily affected populations, should be a focus of occupational therapists.
