Abstract

Objectives. Little is known about the intimate partners of adults with bipolar disorder (BD). Such knowledge is needed to inform both couple and family interventions. Methods. Participants were parents whose children were enrolled in a prospective study: 55 with BD and their partners, and 47 healthy control couples. All completed diagnostic interviews, and questionnaires describing personality traits, negative life events, coping skills, social support, marital adjustment and inter-partner verbal aggression. Parents with BD and healthy control parents were compared, as were the intimate partners. A series of analyses focused on the average measures within couples, with and without BD, and took account of comorbid substance use and personality disorders among those with BD and major depression among their partners. Results. Intimate partners of adults with BD, relative to healthy control partners, presented with more mental disorders, higher neuroticism, lower extraversion, more emotion-focused coping, smaller social networks, less satisfaction with their social networks, and little, satisfying social contact. Additionally, they reported less consensus and satisfaction in their marital relationships, and engaged in more verbal aggression towards their partners. Participants with BD showed similar, more extreme, characteristics. Marital distress and verbal aggression were greatest among couples with an adult having BD and a comorbid condition or a partner with major depression. Conclusions. Mental disorders, personality traits, ineffective coping skills and low social support may limit the support intimate partners provide to their mates with BD and promote chaotic family environments.