1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«The present study examined the mental health, personality traits, negative life events, coping skills, social support, marital adjustment and verbal aggression of adults with and without BD [bipolar disorder] and their intimate partners.» (p. 3)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«Participants were [204] parents whose children were enrolled in a prospective study: 55 [couples] with BD and their partners, and 47 healthy control couples.» (p. iii) Those participants were all recruited in the province of Québec.

Instruments :
Questionnaires

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

The author found that «[i]ntimate partners of adults with BD, relative to healthy control partners, presented with more mental disorders, higher neuroticism, lower extraversion, more emotion-focused coping, smaller social networks, less satisfaction with their social networks, and little, satisfying social contact. Additionally, they reported less consensus and satisfaction in their marital relationships, and engaged in more verbal aggression towards their partners. Participants with BD showed similar, more extreme, characteristics. Marital distress and verbal aggression were greatest among couples with an adult having BD and a comorbid condition or a partner with major depression. [Moreover,] [m]ental disorders, personality traits, ineffective coping skills and low social support may limit the support intimate partners provide to their mates with BD and promote chaotic family environments.» (p. iii-iv)