In a 2023 study by Wrobel et al. analyzing childhood trauma and depressive symptoms, participants with a diagnosis of bipolar I, bipolar II, bipolar disorder not otherwise specified, and schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type) were selected. Diagnostic assessments were conducted using the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies (DIGS) and confirmed by clinicians following DSM-IV criteria. Participants also provided self-reported and clinician-rated information on childhood trauma and depressive symptoms.

Participant Selection in the Wrobel et al. (2023) Bipolar Disorder Study

Data from 543 participants were used.  67.2% were women with a mean age of 50.3. This data was used to estimate the networks of self-reported and clinician-rated depressive symptoms. Self-reported (Patient Health Questionnaire) and clinician-rated (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) scales were used for individual depressive symptoms. These were used among participants with bipolar disorder with and without a history of childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), which were characterized and compared.

Pepperdine University

Summary of article:

Wrobel, AL, Cotton, SM, Jayasinghe, A, et al. Childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder: A network analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2023; 147(3): 286-300. doi:10.1111/acps.13528

Childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in bipolardisorder: A network analysis

Depressed mood consistently emerged as a central symptom; regardless of participants' history of childhood trauma. Additionally, feelings of worthlessness emerged as a key symptom in the network of self-reported depressive symptoms among participants with—but not without—a history of childhood trauma.

Summary of results

Methods

This study characterized and compared the networks of both self-reported  and  clinician-rated depressive symptoms among participants with BD with and without a history of childhood trauma. The most consistent finding was that depressed mood emerged as a central symptom (9 out of 32 networks) in patients with BD.  This is regardless of participants' history or no history of childhood trauma. This reinforces the fact that depressed mood is a core feature of depression in BD.

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