Positive mental health in adults with bipolar disorder: exploring social support subtypes, negative social interactions and potential to flourish

Abstract

Background Bipolar disorder (BD) (i.e., BD-I or BD-II) is a serious mental illness (SMI) that can cause significant life challenges, but its impact and management may be mediated by psychosocial factors. This study’s primary objectives were to investigate whether adults with BD differ from those without in terms of social support, negative social interactions (NSIs), and positive mental health (PMH). Secondly, examine whether gender differences exist in terms of these variables, as well as whether specific social support subscales and NSI predict PMH for those with BD. Methods Using data extracted from a national Canadian survey, 563 adults reporting a lifetime BD diagnosis were compared to a matched, non-BD sample using the Social Provisions Scale 10 Items (SPS-10), the NSI Scale, and the Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHC-SF) Scale. For the BD sample, males and females were compared based on study variables, and hierarchical regressions were subsequently performed to assess whether SPS-10 subscales and NSIs predicted PMH. Results Respondents with BD reported significantly lower SPS-10 and PMH scores, and significantly higher NSI scores. Within the BD sample, females reported significantly higher SPS-10 and NSIs scores, and ‘social integration’ and ‘reassurance of worth’ positively predicted PMH, while NSI uniquely predicted lower PMH levels for both males and females. Conclusions The results implicate specific psychosocial factors and gender in the degree to which adults with BD might flourish, particularly in terms negative relationships. The implications of social erosion and the bi-directionality of social support are also considered.

Perceived loneliness and social support in bipolar disorder: relation to suicidal ideation and attempts

“…Clarifying the relationship between perceived social connectedness and STBs may be particularly important in the context of COVID-19. Research consistently indicates that patients with BD exhibit lower perceived social connection than healthy controls (Eidelman et al 2012 ; Fowler and Dooley 2023 ; Furukawa et al 1999 ; Xie et al 2018 ). Many studies have reported an increase in loneliness since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with social distancing regulations (Buecker and Horstmann 2022 ).…”