| The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of group cognitive behavioral therapy on both social adaptive functioning and quality of life amongst bipolar disordered patients. Archival data was from 76 participants with bipolar disorder who were part of the larger Healthcare Initiative for Bipolar Illness (Principal Investigators: Robert P. Reiser, Ph.D. & Larry W. Thompson, Ph.D.). Participants with bipolar disorder were randomly assigned to either group cognitive behavioral therapy or treatment as usual. Those in the group CBT condition received 24 90-minute sessions, which were scheduled weekly for 4 months, biweekly for 2 months, and monthly for the following 6 months. Social functioning was assessed using the SAS-SR while quality of life was assessed using the MOS SF-36.;Two hypotheses were proposed. The first hypothesis stated participants receiving group CBT in addition to treatment as usual, will report greater increases in social adaptive functioning, as measured by the Social Adaptation Scale- Self Report (SAS-SR), compared to participants only receiving treatment as usual. The second hypothesis was that group CBT in addition to treatment as usual will report greater increases in quality of life, as measured by the Medical Outcomes Survey- Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36), than participants only receiving treatment as usual, particularly in domains of quality of life related to mental health (mental health, role- emotional, social functioning, and vitality), as well as overall quality of life.;Results indicated significant differences between bipolar patients receiving the group CBT intervention and those receiving treatment as usual in regards to subscales measuring Work Functioning and Relationships with Extended Family Members on the SAS-SR. There were no observed differences between bipolar patients receiving group CBT and those receiving treatment as usual in regards to Social and Leisure Activities, Roles in Primary Relationships, Roles as a Parent, Roles within the Family Unit or overall Social Functioning.;In regards to quality of life, results indicated significant differences between bipolar patients receiving group CBT and those receiving treatment as usual in regards to Mental Health Composite Scores of the SF-36, as well as on subscales measuring Role Limitations due to Emotional Problems and Vitality (Energy/Fatigue). There were no observed differences between those receiving group CBT and those receiving treatment as usual in regards to subscale scores measuring Emotional Well-Being or Social Functioning. Likewise, there were no differences between the groups in regards to their scores on the SF-36 General Health Composite. Results from the present study provide extended information regarding viable treatments to be used to improve social functioning and quality of life in this population. |
