American Culture Studies Ph.D. Dissertations
Title
An Autoethnographic Exploration Into Bipolar Depression and Social Support As A Factor Of Resilence
Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
American Culture Studies
First Advisor
Sandra Faulkner (Advisor)
Second Advisor
Sheri Wells-Jensen (Other)
Third Advisor
Ellen Berry (Committee Member)
Fourth Advisor
Sarah Rainey (Committee Member)
Abstract
This dissertation is an autoethnographic inquiry into mental illness, social support, and voluntary kinship. I explore relationships with my voluntary kin - people who act as family without biological or legal ties - and the types of supportive relationships in which we engaged that helped me accept the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder (BPD). Because of their communication and commitment to me, I learned to thrive while complying with mental health treatment. This document describes the process by which I went from being self-centered to other-centered; from social support receiver to social support provider; and from defining myself as an individual to understanding my role in the collective.
Recommended Citation
Baugh, Wonda, "An Autoethnographic Exploration Into Bipolar Depression and Social Support As A Factor Of Resilence" (2015). American Culture Studies Ph.D. Dissertations. 76.
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/acs_diss/76