Psychosocial functioning, social problem solving abilities and related neurocognitive and social cognitive factors in patients with bipolar disorder

Introduction and aims: Bipolar Disorder (BD) is characterized by deterioration of neurocognition and social cognition both of which lead to severe disability and significant degradation of patients' psychosocial functioning. Cognitive decline and deterioration of psychosocial functioning are evident both during acute episodes and in euthymic state of BD. Data on social problem solving skills is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate whether neurocognitive and social cognitive processes are associated with patients' psychosocial functioning and social problem solving abilities. Methods: Patients with BD (n=45) and HC (n=45) were given clinical evaluation, neuropsychological and psychometric tests. The data gathered were analyzed by using chi-square, independent groups t-test, Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney U, ANCOVA, Pearson Correlation Analysis and Lineer Regression Analysis. Results: The total neurocognitive and verbal learning and memory performance were significantly lower in the BD group compared to HC (F=23,956, df=1, p=0,001; F=6,167, df=1, p=0,015). Also, BD group presented poorer psychosocial and social problem solving capacity when compared to the HC (F=13,571, df=1, p=0,001; F=12,617, df=1, p=0,001) . The BD group scored lower at positive problem solving steps (F=5,761, df=1, p=0,019), higher at negative problem solving steps (F=4,510, df=1, p=0,037) compared to the HC. Global neurocognitive, verbal learning and memory performances were related to mental functioning (p=0,01, GA:0,146-1,039; p=0,002, GA:0,197-0,823), global neurocognitive, visual memory and problem solving processes were related to social problem solving processes. Conclusion: Neurocognitive, social cognitive, psychosocial functions and social problem solving abilities were found to be impaired in BD. Global neurocognitive and verbal memory functions were related to psychosocial functioning whereas visual memory and problem solving processes were associated with social problem solving abilities.