Self-discrepancy in students with bipolar disorder II or NOS

Abstract Background Studies on self-representation in bipolar disorder have mainly focused on the single dimension of self-esteem and recruited patients either in episode or in remission. The aim of the study was to examine multi-dimensional aspects of the self (discrepancy between actual- and ideal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry 2010-06, Vol.41 (2), p.135-139
Main Authors: Alatiq, Y, Crane, C, Williams, J.M.G, Goodwin, G.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Bipolar affective disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar Disorder - diagnosis
Bipolar Disorder - psychology
Bipolar disorders
Cyclothymic Disorder - diagnosis
Cyclothymic Disorder - psychology
Depression
Discrepancies
Feared-self
Humans
Hypomania
Ideal-self
Mania
Medical sciences
Mood disorders
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Remission
Self
Self Concept
Self-discrepancy
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Abstract Background Studies on self-representation in bipolar disorder have mainly focused on the single dimension of self-esteem and recruited patients either in episode or in remission. The aim of the study was to examine multi-dimensional aspects of the self (discrepancy between actual- and ideal-selves and between actual- and feared-selves) in a student sample with a history of significant experience of hypomania (with or without experience of major depression) as compared to healthy control students. Methods Bipolar students and healthy control students completed the Self-Discrepancy Questionnaire (SDQ: Carver, Lawrence, & Scheier, 1999 ). The degree of similarity to, and the perceived likelihood of ideal-self and feared-self characteristics were assessed. Results The difference between the groups in level of ideal-self similarity was at trend level. Students with prior hypomania but no history of depression showed higher similarity to their feared-self than healthy controls and also rated themselves as more likely to have these feared-self characteristics in the future. Limitation The small sample size, especially in the bipolar group with no history of depression, limits the power of the study. Conclusions The presence of ideal-self discrepancy was not convincingly demonstrated in this sample and it is possible that where it has been identified in previous studies it may, at least in part, represent a scar of previous episodes of depression or mania rather than a predisposing factor. However a sub-sample of students who had experienced hypomania in the absence of history of depression were distinguished from healthy controls in perceived closeness to the feared-self qualities. The feared-self concept warrants further investigation in bipolar patients.
ISSN:0005-7916
1873-7943
DOI:10.1016/j.jbtep.2009.11.005