The Mediating Role of Behavioral Activation System (BAS)–Relevant Cognitive Styles in the Relationship between Childhood Traumatic Experiences with Syndrome in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: Design and Test of a Conceptual Model

Understanding the predictors and vulnerabilities of bipolar disorder is very important because the prevalence and recurrence rate of this disease is high and even after treatment, patients still experience mild symptoms and functional impairments. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of behavioral activation system–relevant cognitive styles in the relationship between traumatic childhood experiences with bipolar disorder syndrome in patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods and Materials: 

The present study was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population consisted of all patients with bipolar disorder admitted to Shahid Hayinejad Hospital in Babol. The sample size was 379 people who were selected by available sampling method in a period of 18 months. In order to collect the research data have used  from the Child Trauma Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory- II,  Mania Self-Report Scale and 3 Questionnaires of behavioral activation system–relevant cognitive styles (Perfectionism / Performance Evaluation subscale of Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, Self-Criticism subscale of Depression Experiences Scale, and Autonomy subscale of Autonomy - Community orientation Scale). The research data were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software and structural equation modeling.

The results showed that traumatic childhood experiences have an effect on behavioral activation system–relevant cognitive styles and symptoms (depression and mania) of bipolar disorder (p <0.05). Behavioral activation system–relevant cognitive styles have an effect on symptoms (depression and mania) (p <0.05). In addition, the results showed that the behavioral activation system–relevant cognitive styles mediate the relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and symptoms (depression and mania) of bipolar disorder.

The results of the present study support the hypothesis behavioral activation system–relevant cognitive styles mediate the relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and symptoms (depression and mania) of bipolar disorder.