Social support and self-esteem predict changes in bipolar depression but not mania.
BACKGROUND
Our own and other research has suggested that social support predicts course of bipolar disorder, with particularly strong effects on depressive symptoms. Within this paper, we examine which components of social support appear most powerful.


METHODS
Thirty-one individuals with Bipolar I disorder were followed longitudinally for 9 months. Participants completed a standardized symptom severity interview monthly, and at a 2-month follow-up, they completed the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. At a 6-month follow-up, they completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory.


RESULTS
Self-esteem support appeared to the most important predictor of change in depression across a 6-month follow-up, and multiple regression analyses suggested that social support effects were mediated through self-esteem. LIMITATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although the small sample size suggests a need for replication, current results highlight the importance of psychosocial variables in the course of bipolar depression. Self-esteem may be a particularly important target for clinical interventions.
Johnson
S L
SL
Department of Psychology, University of Miami, PO Box 249229, Coral Gables, FL, USA. sjohnson@maimi.edu
Meyer
B
B
Winett
C
C
Small
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support