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Mood Instability in Youth at High Risk for Bipolar Disorder
David J Miklowitz1, Marc J Weintraub1, Manpreet K Singh2
1Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles.
Summary
Mood instability in high-risk youth is linked to poorer functioning and more family conflict. Interventions reducing mood instability may improve long-term outcomes for these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Mood Disorders
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Mood instability is a key indicator for the development of bipolar disorder (BD) in at-risk youth.
- Understanding the trajectory of mood instability and its impact on functioning is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between mood instability and symptomatic, psychosocial, and familial functioning in youth at high risk for bipolar disorder.
- To investigate the mediating role of mood instability in the relationship between baseline diagnosis and family conflict.
Main Methods:
- A clinical trial involving 114 high-risk youth (aged 9-17) with major depressive disorder or other specified BD.
- Participants received family-focused therapy or enhanced care psychoeducation.
- Longitudinal assessment of mood instability, symptom severity, psychosocial functioning, and family conflict over an average of 2 years.
Main Results:
- Higher mood instability ratings were associated with more severe mood symptoms, lower psychosocial functioning, and greater familial conflict.
- Mood instability mediated the link between baseline diagnosis and mother/offspring conflict.
- Psychosocial interventions did not significantly moderate these associations.
Conclusions:
- Mood instability is a significant correlate of symptomatic, psychosocial, and family functioning in high-risk youth.
- Interventions aimed at reducing mood instability hold promise for improving long-term outcomes in this population.
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