Abstract
Background
The relationship between childhood adversity and bipolar affective disorder remains unclear.
Aims
To understand the size and significance of this effect through a statistical synthesis of reported research.
Method
Search terms relating to childhood adversity and bipolar disorder were entered into Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science. Eligible studies included a sample diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a comparison sample and a quantitative measure of childhood adversity.
Results
In 19 eligible studies childhood adversity was 2.63 times (95% CI 2.00–3.47) more likely to have occurred in bipolar disorder compared with non-clinical controls. The effect of emotional abuse was particularly robust (OR = 4.04, 95% CI 3.12–5.22), but rates of adversity were similar to those in psychiatric controls.
Conclusions
Childhood adversity is associated with bipolar disorder, which has implications for the treatment of this clinical group. Further prospective research could clarify temporal causality and explanatory mechanisms.
The relationship between childhood adversity and bipolar affective disorder remains unclear.
Aims
To understand the size and significance of this effect through a statistical synthesis of reported research.
Method
Search terms relating to childhood adversity and bipolar disorder were entered into Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science. Eligible studies included a sample diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a comparison sample and a quantitative measure of childhood adversity.
Results
In 19 eligible studies childhood adversity was 2.63 times (95% CI 2.00–3.47) more likely to have occurred in bipolar disorder compared with non-clinical controls. The effect of emotional abuse was particularly robust (OR = 4.04, 95% CI 3.12–5.22), but rates of adversity were similar to those in psychiatric controls.
Conclusions
Childhood adversity is associated with bipolar disorder, which has implications for the treatment of this clinical group. Further prospective research could clarify temporal causality and explanatory mechanisms.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 454-459 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | British Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 209 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 6 Oct 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2016 |
