Family Functioning and Mood Disorders: A Comparison Between Patients With Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar I Disorder

• Published in: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2006-12, Vol.74 (6), p.1192-1202
• Main Authors: Weinstock, Lauren M, Keitner, Gabor I, Ryan, Christine E, Solomon, David A, Miller, Ivan W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Bipolar affective disorder; Bipolar Disorder; Bipolar Disorder - diagnosis; Bipolar Disorder - psychology; Bipolar Disorder - therapy; Bipolar disorders; Bipolar I Disorder; Clinical Diagnosis; Combined Modality Therapy; Comparative Analysis; Depression; Depression (Psychology); Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology; Depressive Disorder, Major - therapy; Depressive personality disorders; Emotional Problems; Families & family life; Family Environment; Family functioning; Family Relations; Family Relationship; Family Therapy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Human; Humans; Major Depression; Male; Medical diagnosis; Medical sciences; Mental depression; Middle Aged; Mood disorders; Patients; Personality Assessment; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotropic Drugs - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0022-006X; 1939-2117
• DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.74.6.1192

Within a sample of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 121) and bipolar affective disorder (BPAD; n = 69), the authors examined (a) diagnostic differences in family functioning at acute episode, (b) diagnostic differences in family functioning at episode recovery, (c) within-group changes in family functioning from acute episode to recovery, and (d) whether within-group changes from acute episode to recovery varied by diagnosis. Using a multidimensional model, the authors evaluated interviewer, patient, and family ratings. Overall, patients with MDD and BPAD evidenced similar levels of family impairment at acute episode and recovery. Generally, patients in both groups experienced improvement in family functioning over time, yet mean scores at recovery continued to range from fair to poor. Although certain specific differences emerged, diagnostic groups appeared to be more similar than different in level and pattern of family functioning.