Self-regulation in youth with bipolar disorder

Author(s)

Tatiana Cohab Khafif ^[1] ; Ana Kleinman ^[2] ; Cristiana Castanho de Almeida Rocca ; Gabriel Okawa Belizário ^[4] ; Edmir Nader ^[5] ; Sheila C. Caetano ^[6] ; Beny Lafer ^[7]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Transtorno Bipolar - Brasil

^[2] Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Transtorno Bipolar - Brasil

^[4] Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Transtorno Bipolar - Brasil

^[5] Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Transtorno Bipolar - Brasil

^[6] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Brasil

^[7] Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Transtorno Bipolar - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria; v. 45, n. 1, p. 20-27, 2023-03-06.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the composition of self-regulation in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) through the relationship between executive functions, emotion processing, and family environmental factors. Methods: 58 participants (36 with PBD and 22 controls), ages 12-17, were assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II), Wisconsin Cards Sorting Test (WCST), Computerized Neurocognitive Battery Emotion Recognition Test-Facial Emotion Recognition Test (PENNCNB ER-40), and Expressed Emotion Adjective Checklist Questionnaire (EEAC). Results: Adolescents with PBD displayed significant deficits in all three spheres when compared to the control group. Emotion processing correlated negatively with inhibition and attention, and correlated positively with mental flexibility/working memory. Family environmental factors correlated negatively with mental flexibility/working memory and emotion processing, and positively with attention and inhibition. These correlations indicate that better inhibitory control, attention, and mental flexibility/working memory are associated with greater emotion processing and a fitter family environment. Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate all of the components of self-regulation deficits simultaneously in patients with PBD. Results suggest that self-regulation is essential for a comprehensive perspective of PBD and should be assessed in an integrative and multifaceted way. Understanding that self-regulation is impacted by the abovementioned factors should influence treatment and improve the functional impairments of daily life observed in this population. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/07089-8 - Investigating TDP-43 as neuromarker of Bipolar Disorder
• Grantee: Camila Nascimento Mantelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral