The relationship between functionality and trait anger, anger expression styles, and loneliness in patients with bipolar disorder

This study was conducted to determine the functionality of patients with bipolar disorder, their persistent anger-anger expression styles, and loneliness levels, as well as to establish the relationship between functionality and persistent anger-anger expression style and loneliness in patients with bipolar disorder. The study population consisted of a group of 219 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder who were undergoing treatment at the Psychiatry Hospital located within the Ankara Etlik City Hospital Campus. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Short Functional Assessment Scale (SFAS), the Continuous Anger-Anger Expression Style Scale, and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Data analysis was performed using Student's t-test, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis. According to the findings of the study, the mean score of the Short Functional Assessment Scale (SFAS) for patients with bipolar disorder was 25.35±17.23; the mean score of the Persistent Anger subscale of the Persistent Anger-Anger Expression Style Scale was 20.19±7.17; and the mean total score of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale total mean score was 4.92±3.01. Patients with bipolar disorder had a lower income than expenses, primary/secondary education, unemployment, lack of regular doctor visits and medication use, a high number of episodes, and frequent hospitalizations. A statistically significant difference was found between the Short Functional Assessment Scale mean score and the anger control subscale mean score. A weak negative correlation was found between the Short Functional Assessment Scale mean score and the anger control subscale mean score. A weak positive correlation was found between the Short Functional Assessment Scale mean score and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale mean score. In conclusion, as patients' anger control decreases and their loneliness level increases, their functionality decreases. In this context, it is recommended that psychoeducational studies be conducted to help patients with bipolar disorder cope with feelings of anger and loneliness and improve their functionality. Keywords: bipolar disorder, functionality, persistent anger, anger expression style, loneliness, psychiatric nursing