title: An exploration of metacognitive beliefs and thought control strategies in bipolar disorder.
abstract: Metacognitive factors influence depression, but are largely unexplored in bipolar disorders. We examined i) differences in metacognitive beliefs and thought control strategies between individuals with bipolar disorder and controls, and ii) to what extent clinical characteristics were related to levels of metacognitive beliefs and thought control strategies in bipolar disorder.
  
  
  
  Eighty patients with bipolar disorder were assessed for age at onset of affective disorder, number of affective episodes, symptoms of mania and depression, metacognitive beliefs (MCQ-30) and thought control strategies (TCQ). Control subjects (N=166) completed MCQ-30 and TCQ. Factors impacting on metacognitive beliefs and thought control strategies were explored with multiple linear regressions.
  
  
  
  Patients with bipolar disorder reported higher levels of unhelpful metacognitive beliefs and thought control strategies than controls. Metacognitive beliefs were mainly influenced by depressive symptoms, and age at onset of affective illness. Thought control strategies were mainly influenced by metacognitive beliefs and age at onset of affective illness.
  
  
  
  Our findings suggest that metacognitive beliefs and control strategies are relevant in bipolar disorder. Depression and age at onset of affective disorder could contribute to metacognitive beliefs in bipolar disorder, and influence the use of thought control strategies. This indicates potential relationships that warrant further investigation for clinical relevance.
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Department for Specialised Inpatient Treatment, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway. Electronic address: tiril.ostefjells@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Tiril
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Østefjells
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: ingrid.melle@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melle
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Department for Specialised Inpatient Treatment, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway. Electronic address: s.r.aminoff@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Sofie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Aminoff
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: tone.hellvin@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Tone
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hellvin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: roger.hagen@svt.ntnu.no.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0424 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Trine Vik
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Lagerberg
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Adult Psychiatry Unit, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo.
authors.forename: June Ullevoldsæter
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Lystad
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Jan Ivar
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Røssberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000067489:Metacognition; D008875:Middle Aged; D013850:Thinking; D055815:Young Adult