Physical and sexual abuse and early-onset bipolar disorder in youths receiving outpatient services: frequent, but not specific

J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2015 Apr;43(3):453-63. doi: 10.1007/s10802-014-9924-3.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine if physical and sexual abuse showed relationships to early-onset bipolar spectrum disorders (BPSD) consistent with findings from adult retrospective data. Participants (N = 829, M = 10.9 years old ± 3.4 SD, 60% male, 69% African American, and 18% with BPSD), primarily from a low socio-economic status, presented to an urban community mental health center and a university research center. Physical abuse was reported in 21%, sexual abuse in 20%, and both physical and sexual abuse in 11% of youths with BPSD. For youths without BPSD, physical abuse was reported in 16%, sexual abuse in 15%, and both physical and sexual abuse in 5% of youths. Among youth with BPSD, physical abuse was significantly associated with a worse global family environment, more severe depressive and manic symptoms, a greater number of sub-threshold manic/hypomanic symptoms, a greater likelihood of suicidality, a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with PTSD, and more self-reports of alcohol or drug use. Among youth with BPSD, sexual abuse was significantly associated with a worse global family environment, more severe manic symptoms, a greater number of sub-threshold manic/hypomanic symptoms, greater mood swings, more frequent episodes, more reports of past hospitalizations, and a greater number of current and past comorbid Axis I diagnoses. These findings suggest that if physical and/or sexual abuse is reported, clinicians should note that abuse appears to be related to increased severity of symptoms, substance use, greater co-morbidity, suicidality, and a worse family environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bipolar Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mood Disorders / epidemiology
  • North Carolina / epidemiology
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data