Personal and Social Resources in Children of Patients with Bipolar Affective Disorder and Children of Normal Control Subjects

The authors examined the personal resources (social problem-solving ability, internal locus of control, self-esteem, and self-perceived competence) and social resources (social network structure and support) in 23 children of patients with bipolar affective disorder (probands) and 33 children of normal control parents. Positive resource profiles were related to psychiatric well-being in the offspring. Nondisordered probands, in particular, demonstrated a strikingly positive profile of personal resources as well as a wide range of peer, sibling, and other kin supporters. Disordered probands had a strikingly negative set of personal resources and a relatively greater reliance on nonkin adult supporters. The absence of a supportive best friend was associated with affective disorder across offspring groups.