Effects of personality functioning on the global functioning of patients with bipolar disorder I

Abstract

Due to the comorbidity of personality traits or disorders and BD, the present study investigated the extent to which the global functioning of patients with BD would be affected by personality functioning. This study included 100 subsequent patients who had been diagnosed with BD-I, and were in the remission phase. Global functioning was assessed with the Bipolar Disorder Functioning Questionnaire (BDFQ) and the Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS) was conducted following psychodynamic-oriented semi-structured interviews to assess the level of personality functioning. Hierarchical linear regression models were conducted. After controlling other variables, the predictability of LPFS components on global functionality was assessed. Global functioning was negatively correlated with subsyndromal depressive symptoms, the presence of a psychiatric comorbidity, alcohol/substance use disorders, the side effects of medication, poor social support, and an impaired level of personality functioning. Finally, a decrease in the level of personality functioning predicted impaired global functioning. The present study demonstrated that the level of personality functioning had a significant impact on global functioning during the euthymic period of BD. Therefore, the assessment of the level of personality functioning in patients with BD will aid in better understanding this population and in the design of long-term treatment plans.