[ relative frequency and socio-demographic correlates of bipolar spectrum disorders in divorced volunteers]

ABSTRACT

During the recent years, increasing rate of divorce, affects families and community. Identifying divorce risk factors seems to be very important. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and some demographic correlates of mood Bipolar Spectrum Disorder [BSD] in volunteers of divorce referred to Family-Counseling Centers. This was a descriptive-analytic study on divorced volunteers referred to family counseling centers of Isfahan in winter-spring 2007. The sample consisted of 96 volunteers selected through randomized cluster sampling. All participants were administered Mood Disorder Questionnaire [MDQ as well as a demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS13 software, using descriptive statistics, CHI2 and Mann-Whitney tests. BSD was significantly more prevalent among females [p < 0.031] and among housewives [p < 0.05]. No significant difference was seen in the frequency of BSD between different age groups [p = 0.47] and educational levels [p = 0.11]. Our findings indicated that psychiatric disorders including BSD may have a role in divorce. Marriage and/or divorce counseling may serve as a means for recognizing BSD in consults. Hence, it may play a role in reducing the rate of divorce through patients' referral for appropriate specialized treatment