View in EDS

Attitudes towards childbearing, causal attributions for bipolar disorder and psychological distress: a study of families with multiple cases of bipolar disorder.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Attitudes towards childbearing, causal attributions for bipolar disorder and psychological distress: a study of families with multiple cases of bipolar disorder.
Authors: Meiser B (AUTHOR), Mitchell PB (AUTHOR), Kasparian NA (AUTHOR), Strong K (AUTHOR), Simpson JM (AUTHOR), Mireskandari S (AUTHOR), Tabassum L (AUTHOR), Schofield PR (AUTHOR)
Source: Psychological Medicine. Nov2007, Vol. 37 Issue 11, p1601-1611. 11p.
Abstract: ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: For families with multiple cases of bipolar disorder this study explored: attitudes towards childbearing; causal attributions for bipolar disorder, in particular the degree to which a genetic model is endorsed and its impact on the perceived stigma of bipolar disorder; and predictors of psychological distress.MethodTwo hundred individuals (95 unaffected and 105 affected with either bipolar disorder, schizo-affective disorder - manic type, or recurrent major disorder) were surveyed, using mailed, self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Thirty-five (35%) participants reported being 'not at all willing to have children' or 'less willing to have children' as a result of having a strong family history of bipolar disorder. Being not at all or less willing to have children was associated with perceived stigma of bipolar disorder [odds ratio (OR) 2.42, p=0.002], endorsement of a genetic model (OR 1.76, p=0.046), and being affected (OR 2.16, p=0.01). Among unaffected participants only, endorsement of a genetic model was strongly correlated with perceived stigma (rs=0.30, p=0.004). Perceiving the family environment as an important factor in causing bipolar disorder was significantly associated with psychological distress (OR 1.58, p=0.043) among unaffected participants. Among affected participants, perceived stigma was significantly correlated with psychological distress (OR 2.44, p=0.02), controlling for severity of symptoms (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Having a genetic explanation for bipolar disorder may exacerbate associative stigma among unaffected members from families with multiple cases of bipolar disorder, while it does not impact on perceived stigma among affected family members. Affected family members may benefit from interventions to ameliorate the adverse effects of perceived stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Psychological Medicine is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: For families with multiple cases of bipolar disorder this study explored: attitudes towards childbearing; causal attributions for bipolar disorder, in particular the degree to which a genetic model is endorsed and its impact on the perceived stigma of bipolar disorder; and predictors of psychological distress.MethodTwo hundred individuals (95 unaffected and 105 affected with either bipolar disorder, schizo-affective disorder - manic type, or recurrent major disorder) were surveyed, using mailed, self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Thirty-five (35%) participants reported being 'not at all willing to have children' or 'less willing to have children' as a result of having a strong family history of bipolar disorder. Being not at all or less willing to have children was associated with perceived stigma of bipolar disorder [odds ratio (OR) 2.42, p=0.002], endorsement of a genetic model (OR 1.76, p=0.046), and being affected (OR 2.16, p=0.01). Among unaffected participants only, endorsement of a genetic model was strongly correlated with perceived stigma (rs=0.30, p=0.004). Perceiving the family environment as an important factor in causing bipolar disorder was significantly associated with psychological distress (OR 1.58, p=0.043) among unaffected participants. Among affected participants, perceived stigma was significantly correlated with psychological distress (OR 2.44, p=0.02), controlling for severity of symptoms (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Having a genetic explanation for bipolar disorder may exacerbate associative stigma among unaffected members from families with multiple cases of bipolar disorder, while it does not impact on perceived stigma among affected family members. Affected family members may benefit from interventions to ameliorate the adverse effects of perceived stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00332917
DOI:10.1017/s0033291707000852