hiStory of Parenting and BiPolar SPectrum diSorderS

the present study examined whether negative parenting characteristics are associated with offspring’s bipolar spectrum diagnoses. individuals with bipolar spectrum disorders and matched normal controls completed measures of the parenting behaviors their parents exhibited while the individuals were growing up. lower levels of acceptance/warmth from mothers and higher levels of negative psychological control from mothers and fathers were associated with bipolar spectrum diagnoses, controlling for a family history of bipolar disorder and current depressive and hypomanic mood and symptoms. Similarly, greater levels of emotional maltreatment by mothers and fathers and greater levels of physical maltreatment by mothers were associated with participants’ bipolar diagnoses, controlling for family history and current mood and symptoms. implications of these findings are discussed.