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The influence of social support on psychological distress in Canadian adults with bipolar disorder

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Individuals with bipolar I disorder (BD-I) and bipolar II disorder (BD-II) are at higher risk for experiencing high levels of psychological distress and low levels of social support.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this study were to examine perceived social support and psychological distress among Canadian adults with self-reported BD-I or BD-II as diagnosed by a health professional and explore the relationship between types of social support and psychological distress within this sample.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional, national datafile, 563 Canadian male and female adults (20–64 years) who reported being diagnosed with BD-I or BD-II were investigated using the Social Provisions Scale (SPS), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10).

Results

It was observed that while the BD-I or BD-II sample had significantly lower SPS scores and significantly higher K10 scores than the overall Canadian sample, age and support in the form of reassurance of worth and social integration were associated with decreased psychological distress. Further, a diagnosis of BD-I and BD-II was found to moderate the effect of social support on psychological distress.

Conclusions

Despite the limitations, which include self-reported diagnosis of BD-I and BD-II and potential exclusion of those who are not diagnosed but have BD-I or BD-II, these findings suggest that reassurance of worth and social integration may act as protective factors for psychological distress among individuals with BD-I or BD-II.

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Acknowledgements

The authors do not wish to make any acknowledgements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL, Canada

    Christie D. Warren, Ken Fowler & Anna Walsh

  2. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada

    David Speed

Authors
  1. Christie D. Warren
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  2. Ken Fowler
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  3. David Speed
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  4. Anna Walsh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ken Fowler.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author declares that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Warren, C.D., Fowler, K., Speed, D. et al. The influence of social support on psychological distress in Canadian adults with bipolar disorder. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 53, 815–821 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1529-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1529-7

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