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Child Comorbidity, Maternal Mood Disorder, and Perceptions of Family Functioning Among Bipolar Youth

NCJ Number
215172
Journal
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 45 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2006 Pages: 955-964
Author(s)
Christianne Esposito-Smythers Ph.D.; Boris Birmaher M.D.; Sylvia Valeri Ph.D.; Laurel Chiappetta M.S.; Jeffrey Hunt M.D.; Neal Ryan M.D.; David Axelson M.D.; Michael Strober Ph.D.; Henrietta Leonard M.D.; Holly Sindelar Ph.D.; Martin Keller M.D.
Date Published
August 2006
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study of 389 children and adolescents diagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) examined the association between those children with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, their mothers having a mood disorder, and parents' and children's perceptions of family cohesion and conflict.
Abstract
The study found that when the mother of a child with PBD had a mood disorder, there was a significant likelihood of low family cohesion. When a child had an acting out disorder, with or without a co-occurring anxiety disorder, there was a significant likelihood of lower family cohesion as well as higher family conflict. The link between a mother's mood disorder and family functioning was stronger when the child had an acting out disorder. Thus, children with PBD and a co-occurring psychiatric disorder, together with their mothers having a mood disorder, were associated with worse family functioning. This suggests that family-based treatments for children with PBD will be more effective if they integrate treatment for a child's co-occurring psychiatric disorders and the mother's mood disorder. The 389 children with PBD completed a diagnostic interview and instruments that assessed family psychiatric history and functioning. Family functioning was assessed with the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales-II and the Conflict Behavior Questionnaire. 4 tables and 35 references