Impact of early onset bipolar disorder on family functioning: adolescents' perceptions of family dynamics, communication, and problems.
OBJECTIVE
This research investigated the impact of adolescent onset bipolar illness on perceived family functioning in stabilized bipolar I (B) and unipolar (U) probands, and normal controls (C).


METHODS
Sample N=119: 44 bipolar 1(17 M, 27 F), 30 unipolar (9 M, 21 F), and 45 controls (19 M, 26 F). Mean ages: 19.9, 18.5 and 18.2 years, respectively.


METHODS
Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (FACES II), Parent-Adolescent Communication Scales (PACS), Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents (SAICA).


RESULTS
There were no significant group or sex differences between controls and mood disordered youth--assessed intermorbidly--in ratings of relationship with either parent. Bipolars acknowledged significantly more minor conflicts with parents than either unipolars or controls. Ratings by mood disordered subjects were significantly less positive in terms of shared activities and communication with siblings. Mood disordered youth and controls were not differentiated on the basis of family adaptability, and all family cohesion scores were within population norms. No significant group differences were observed in communication with parents.


CONCLUSIONS
This self-report study was conducted intermorbidly, does not include objective measures of family functioning, nor does it assess the effect of psychiatric illness in other family members on family functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessed intermorbidly, bipolar adolescents' perceptions of family dynamics do not seem to diverge significantly from controls. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of adolescent bipolar illness on family life during acute phases of the illness, as well as the effect on family functioning of psychiatric disorders in other family members.
Robertson
H A
HA
Department of Psychiatry, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Abbie Lane Building, Ste. 4083, 5909 Jubilee Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. robertsh@is.dal.ca
Kutcher
S P
SP
Bird
D
D
Grasswick
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving; D012917:Social Adjustment