Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
06:41
Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
Social competence and observer-rated social functioning in bipolar disorder
Colin A Depp1, Brent T Mausbach, Philip D Harvey
1Stein Institute for Research on Aging, Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0664, USA. cdepp@ucsd.edu
Bipolar Disorders
|December 24, 2010
Summary
Social functioning impairments are common in bipolar disorder, particularly during depressive episodes. Impaired social competence worsens the impact of depression and cognitive deficits on real-world functioning.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Social functioning deficits are prevalent in bipolar disorder, often assessed via self-reports.
- Objective measures of social competence and functioning are needed to understand bipolar disorder's impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate performance-based and observer-based social functioning in bipolar disorder.
- To determine the influence of symptoms and neurocognition on social functioning.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 164 bipolar disorder patients.
- Utilized Social Skills Performance Assessment (SSPA) and Specific Level of Functioning (SLOF)-Interpersonal subscale.
- Assessed neurocognitive tests, depression, and manic symptoms.
Main Results:
- 29% showed performance-based social impairment (SSPA), 64% had observer-rated deficits (SLOF).
- Neurocognition correlated with both performance and observer-rated social functioning.
- Depression was the strongest predictor of social functioning, especially when social competence was impaired.
Conclusions:
- Bipolar depression significantly impairs social functioning.
- Impaired social competence exacerbates the negative effects of depression and cognitive deficits on functioning in bipolar disorder patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
01:22Personality Disorders: Paranoid and Schizoid
Personality disorders represent enduring cognition, affect, and behavior patterns that significantly deviate from societal norms. These maladaptive traits often lead to difficulties in various domains, including interpersonal relationships, occupational settings, and overall psychological well-being. Paranoid personality disorder and schizoid personality disorder are two distinct conditions marked by odd or eccentric behavior.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid personality disorder is...
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid personality disorder is...
01:27Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
01:24Strategies of Self-Presentation III: Self-Monitoring
Self-monitoring is a central construct in understanding individual differences in self-presentation strategies across social contexts. It refers to how individuals observe, regulate, and control their expressive behavior and self-presentation following situational cues. Self-monitoring reflects a person's sensitivity to social appropriateness and willingness to adapt behavior to fit varying interpersonal demands.High vs. Low Self-Monitoring IndividualsIndividuals high in self-monitoring are...
01:20Personality Disorders: Schizotypal and Histrionic
Schizotypal personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder are two distinct psychological conditions classified under personality disorders, each characterized by unique behavioral patterns and social difficulties. Both disorders significantly affect interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being, leading to social isolation and frustration.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Eccentric Behavior and Social Withdrawal
Schizotypal personality disorder is marked by odd or eccentric...
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Eccentric Behavior and Social Withdrawal
Schizotypal personality disorder is marked by odd or eccentric...