Self-Efficacy and Quality of Life Among People With Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

People with bipolar disorders report a lower quality of life than the general population, and few mutable factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people with bipolar disorders have been identified. Using a cross-sectional design, these analyses examined whether self-efficacy was associated with mental and physical HRQoL in a sample of 141 patients with bipolar disorder who completed baseline assessments for two randomized controlled trials. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that higher levels of self-efficacy were associated with higher mental and physical HRQoL, after controlling for demographic factors and clinical factors (including mood symptoms, co-morbid medical conditions, and substance use). Future research should examine whether targeted treatments that aim to improve self-efficacy (such as self-management interventions) lead to improvements in HRQoL among people with bipolar disorder and other serious mental illnesses.

Poor quality of life and functioning in bipolar disorder

“…Our results are consistent with earlier reports that show that individuals with bipolar disorder often experience overall poor quality of life and life functioning (Abraham et al 2014; Sierra et al 2005; Sylvia et al 2013). We also found that females had lower quality of life than males.…”

“…Individuals with bipolar disorder frequently experience lower quality of life and worse functioning than the general population (Abraham et al 2014; Sierra et al 2005; Sylvia et al 2013), even when not in a mood episode (Fulford et al 2014; Gazalle et al 2007; Shabani et al 2013). Moreover, those who experience a lower quality of life exhibit higher inter-episode impulsivity and more cognitive impairment as well as residual depressive and psychotic symptoms (Depp et al 2006; Victor et al 2011).…”

Mixed-methods analysis of internalized stigma correlates in poorly adherent individuals with bipolar disorder

“…One participant’s comment that he or she felt “different” and could not “do stuff like other people” illustrates the notion that individuals with internalized stigma due to BD may feel helpless in managing stressors such as their mental illness [18]. This low self-efficacy may be associated with poor medication adherence and less care-seeking behavior [19] and [20].…”

“…In accordance with the recovery model of mental illness [18], one strategy to improve patients’ self-efficacy, medication adherence, and eventual health outcomes may be to address internalized stigma. Livingston and Boyd [3] identified two stigma interventions that successfully reduced self-stigma in people with various serious mental illnesses such as major depression.…”

“…Two of the three studies identified in a review by Ellison et al [10] reported a positive association between internalized stigma and BD symptom severity, highlighting the need for further research on these relationships [15], [16], and [17]. To our knowledge, no study has explored the relationship between stigma and self-efficacy in individuals with BD, a psychological variable central to quality of life and self-management of BD [18], [19], and [20]. …”