Potential Impact of Childhood Abuse on Quality of Life During Mood‐Stabilising Treatment in Individuals Living With Bipolar Disorder
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research examining whether childhood abuse affects the quality of life (QoL) of individuals living with bipolar disorder and its improvement over the course of treatment. METHODS: Data from the Clinical Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness for Bipolar Disorder were used to explore the associations between childhood abuse and multiple domains of QoL among 476 outpatients with bipolar disorder. Rates of change in QoL throughout treatment were explored with a series of Generalised Estimation Equations for repeated measures. RESULTS: At baseline, childhood abuse was related to poorer QoL in the domains of subjective feelings of wellbeing, social relationships and general activities-but not in physical health or leisure activities. Throughout treatment, participants with a history of childhood abuse reported significantly worse QoL in the same domains, than participants with no history of childhood abuse. Interestingly, exploratory analyses showed that participants with a history of childhood abuse and a current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had significantly worse QoL in all domains, than participants with no history of childhood abuse or diagnosis of PTSD. There were no significant differences between groups in change in QoL in any of the domains. CONCLUSION: This study comprehensively investigated the relationships between a history of childhood abuse and QoL among people with bipolar disorder who were receiving pharmacotherapy. Although the present findings need to be replicated, they suggest significant impairment in several domains of QoL associated with childhood abuse, which has service and treatment implications for trauma-informed care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01331304.
Source: Bipolar Disorders
DOI: 10.1111/bdi.70079
Institutions: Deakin University, The University of Melbourne, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Orygen, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, Diploma Hochschule, University of New Mexico, University of Michigan, Weill Cornell Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB Medicine, Lindner Center of HOPE, University of Cincinnati, University of Newcastle Australia
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,730
Funders: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, AbbVie, University of Pennsylvania, University of Cincinnati, Pennsylvania State University, Sunovion, Wellcome Trust, LivaNova, Neurocrine Biosciences, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Deakin University, Novo Nordisk, State Government of Victoria, Society for Mental Health Research, Servier, H. Lundbeck A/S, National Institutes of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Health and Medical Research Council, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
OpenAlex ID: W7128722002