Purpose: This study aimed to determine the history of childhood trauma and the relationship between childhood trauma and the course of the disease in female patients with bipolar disorder.
Design and methods: This study was conducted on 80 female patients in an acute women's psychiatric clinic in a psychiatric hospital in Turkey between April and July 2016.
Findings: Emotional abuse had a statistically negative effect on the onset of bipolar disorder (F = 7.830; p < 0.01). In addition, physical neglect had a statistically positive effect on the duration of treatment (F = 6.811; p < 0.05).
Practice implications: Psychiatric nurses must systematically assess childhood trauma and plan psychotherapeutic interventions accordingly.
Keywords: bipolar disorder; childhood trauma; course of disease.
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