PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Thomas F. Denson

MA-Research
December 2002

Cognitive Functioning as a Mediator in Quality of Life in Bipolar I Disorder

    The present research examined the hypothesis that the cognitive deficits associated with bipolar disorder might mediate poor functioning and poor quality of life.  Participants were 38 outpatients diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria for bipolar I disorder from the Long Beach Veterans’ Affairs Healthcare System who were referred from their treating psychiatrist.  Participants completed tests of executive functioning and memory, quality of life questionnaires, and a clinical interview.  A simplified structural equation model was constructed demonstrating the relationship between cognitive functioning and quality of life, which proved to have a good fit, but not as originally anticipated.  This model provides preliminary evidence that cognitive functioning may impact quality of life.  Multiple regression analyses showed several illness variables to relate to life satisfaction, work adjustment, social competence, and health-related quality of life.  The role of cognitive functioning in quality of life in bipolar I disorder may be more circumscribed than originally hypothesized.

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