title: Self-esteem in recovered bipolar and unipolar out-patients.
abstract: The hypothesis of a low self-esteem in depressive patients was tested using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in 24 recovered unipolar and 27 recovered bipolar patients, compared with a normal control group of 26 subjects matched for age and sex. The hypothesis was confirmed only for unipolars; bipolar patients presented a self-esteem score not significantly different from normal scores. Self-esteem was not related to clinical characteristics of the affective disorder, suggesting that low self-esteem may be a basic component of a depression-prone personality. The investigation of the relationship between self-esteem and social adjustment confirmed the presence of social conformism in bipolar patients and rigidly set low self-esteem in unipolar patients. These results should stimulate the evaluation of different psychotherapeutic treatments in the long-term psychosocial management of affectively ill patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Clinics of Brussels, Erasme Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pardoen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bauwens
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tracy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendlewicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D002220:Carbamazepine