Perceived Social Support and Relapse in Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

Bipolar affective disorder (BAD) is a chronic mental disorder with a global lifetime prevalence of 2.4%. Emerging evidence highlights the significance of psychosocial variables, particularly the impact of social support in its clinical course. A cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2021 to August 2021 at the Outpatient Department of Psychiatry at Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Participants included patients aged 18 to 65, diagnosed with BAD according to ICD-10 criteria. Those with coexisting medical conditions or substance use were excluded. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria provided informed consent. The principal investigator collected demographic data and illness history using a structured form. Perceived social support was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Among 94 subjects, 36 (38.3%) were male and 58 (61.7%) were female, with a mean perceived social support (PSS) score of 4.818. Females reported significantly higher support than males (5.16 vs. 4.25, p < 0.001). Patients experiencing significant life events (SLE) had lower PSS (4.33 vs. 5.14, p < 0.002). Relapses in the past five years were linked to a family history of BAD (p < 0.001) and SLE (p < 0.00). Patients with BAD perceived moderate social support, with females reporting higher levels. Those experiencing SLE reported lower support. The number of relapses was significantly associated with family history and recent significant life events.