Low self-compassion in patients with bipolar disorder.
BACKGROUND
Emerging research suggests that low self-compassion may be linked to psychopathology and in particular depressive symptoms. To further elucidate this topic, the present study investigated self-compassion in patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD).


METHODS
Thirty remitted BD patients were compared to thirty age- and sex matched controls on the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). The BD patients also completed the Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM), the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI-10) and further reported their illness history on a survey sheet.


RESULTS
The BD patients were found to have significantly lower self-compassion than controls. In addition, self-compassion correlated positively and significantly with life-satisfaction but no significant correlations with functional impairment, internalized stigma or frequency of past affective episodes were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The small sample size entailed reduced statistical power.


CONCLUSIONS
By suggesting that self-compassion is reduced and possibly linked to life-satisfaction in BD, the findings highlight a potential vulnerability meriting further investigations.
Department of Communication and Psychology, Center for Developmental and Applied Psychological Science (CeDAPS), Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Marianne
M
Døssing
Department of Communication and Psychology, Center for Developmental and Applied Psychological Science (CeDAPS), Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark. Electronic address: kkn@hum.aau.dk.
Kristine Kahr
KK
Nilsson
Department of Communication and Psychology, Center for Developmental and Applied Psychological Science (CeDAPS), Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Stinna Rzepa
SR
Svejstrup
Department of Communication and Psychology, Center for Developmental and Applied Psychological Science (CeDAPS), Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Vegard Venås
VV
Sørensen
Mood Disorders Clinic, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark.
Krista Nielsen
KN
Straarup
Department of Communication and Psychology, Center for Developmental and Applied Psychological Science (CeDAPS), Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Tia B
TB
Hansen
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult