| dc.description.abstract | Abstract: Objective: The relationship between childhood trauma and bipolar disorder (BD) is well-established. Extensive research has supported a firm linkage between the two variables, but illness course in bipolar patients is dependent on more factors than childhood trauma. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and BD show a fair amount of overlap in symptomatology, which is why this study specified its focus on childhood trauma, BPD and BD. Based on previous research, the expectancy was that the relationship between childhood trauma and BD was mediated by symptoms of BPD.
Methods: Over the past two years, 188 patients at Altrecht Bipolair were asked to fill in two sets of questionnaires, in order to create a data file intended for scientific research. The sample used in this study consisted of 88 bipolar patients, currently in treatment at Altrecht Bipolair. They completed the SCID-I, and two sets of questionnaires about general anxiety and personality traits. The data that were used in the present study consisted of the Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM), the Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Dutch version of the Questionnaire for Characteristics of Personality (VKP-4) and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS).
Results: Regression analyses showed that all forms of childhood trauma that we assessed (emotional neglect and abuse and physical abuse), apart from emotional neglect, were significantly related to depression. This relationship was significantly mediated by BPD. However, the relationship between childhood trauma and mania appeared to be non-significant. BPD did not significantly mediate this relationship.
Conclusion: Childhood trauma appeared to be a predictor for depression, but not for mania. The relationship between childhood trauma and depression could be explained by BPD, whereas BPD did not mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and mania. Longitudinal research is needed to make firm conclusions about the relationship between childhood trauma and bipolar disorder and the mediation effect of BPD on this relationship, which could be generalized to other BD patients and clinical groups. | |
