title: Family conflict moderates response to pharmacological intervention in pediatric bipolar disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Family conflict affects the expression of psychopathology in youth. This study investigated whether family conflict moderates response to medication in youth with bipolar disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Youth ages 5-17 years diagnosed with bipolar I or II disorder were recruited from a trial of combination therapy with divalproex and lithium. Mania and depression were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R). Parents completed the Family Assessment Device (FAD). Ordinary least-squares regression evaluated whether family conflict contributed to YMRS/CDRS-R outcomes controlling for severity of baseline mood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 55 youths, the model examining family conflict and CDRS-R outcomes showed that family conflict variables accounted for 10% of the variance in CDRS-R scores after 8 weeks of treatment. The final model was statistically significant. The FAD Problem Solving subscale was the only uniquely significant predictor of CDRS-R scores after 8 weeks of treatment. Family conflict did not predict YMRS outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant relationship between family problem solving and depressive symptoms that persist despite pharmacotherapy. Although depression severity was mild at baseline, it persisted despite pharmacological treatment in youths whose families endorsed higher levels of conflict.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 11400 Euclid Avenue, OH 44106, USA. LTownsend01@msn.com
authors.forename: Lisa D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Demeter
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Youngstrom
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drotar
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Findling
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D014635:Valproic Acid