Self-efficacy
To measure self-efficacy for managing bipolar symptoms, the Bipolar Self-efficacy Scale (Centre for Clinical Interventions 2008) was used. The scale was developed specifically to investigate bipolar patients’ self-efficacy beliefs relating to the management of their illness and to explore the role of these beliefs on illness outcome. The measure covers domains which are common for many chronic conditions including symptom control (taking medication and recognizing stressors and early warning signs), role functioning, emotional functioning and communication with physicians. Higher scores indicate higher self-efficacy.