Background: Bipolar Disorder is a common psychiatric disorder where spouses of patients experi- ence higher level of perceived stress and marital adjustment problems are seen more frequently. It is important to understand the perceived stress and quality of marital life of spouses of patients with these mental illnesses as resolution of marital problems can lead to overall improvement in the outcome of the illness. Most of the studies were done in western countries where socio cultural beliefs are different from those of eastern countries. These studies were also limited by not evaluating quality of marital life and perceived stress together. This study was designed to understand the marital functioning and stress related issues for better stability of marriage. Thus, we planned to study and understand the problems amongst these individuals so as to help psychiatrists in better screening of these individuals and plan early and suitable intervention. Aims: To assess and study the sociodem- ographic profile, perceived stress and marital adjustment of spouses of patients attending the psychiatric OPD of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Psychiatry in Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, Moradabad among spouses of patients of bipolar disorder di- agnosed according to ICD-11 Criteria attending the Psychiatry OPD of Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Center. Written informed consent was obtained from the subjects. Semi-Structured Pro-forma was applied for recording the socio-demographic data. Perceived stress was assessed using the Sheldon Cohen Per- ceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Marital adjustment was assessed using the Locke-Wallace Marital adjustment test (MAT). The data was then evaluated and computed for statistical analysis using Pearson's Chi-square test or Exact Fischer's Test for categorical variables and the t-test for continuous variables. The association between variables was estimated with the Pearson correlation coefficient Results: The enlisted subjects' mean (SD) age was 40.66 (11.58) years, with a frequency band of 18-70 years. The mean (SD) years of duration of marriage of the enrolled subjects were 17.9 (13.3) years with a range of 1-53 years. The mean (SD) score of PSS of the enrolled subjects was 24.50 (7.45) with a range of 5-39. The mean (SD) score of MAT of the enrolled subjects was 85.84 (17.98) with a range of 29-135. The PSS score was negatively correlated with the MAT score (r= -0.70, p-value <0.01). There was statistically significant negative correlation was observed between age, duration of marriage, occupation, education, monthly income and socio-economic score with PSS, whereas socio-economic status was positively correlated with PSS scores. Furthermore, age and duration of marriage were statistically significantly positively correlated with MAT. Conclusion: Bipolar Disorder is linked with higher stress, poor marital functioning, and poor quality of marriage in spouses. The PSS score was negatively correlated with the MAT score and statistically significant negative correlation was observed between PSS scores, MAT scores and vari- ous socio demographic factors.

Bipolar disorder, marital adjustment, stress, maladjustment, spouse, caregiver, duration of marriage.