Family influences on mania-relevant cognitions and beliefs: a cognitive model of mania and reward.

OBJECTIVE

The present study proposed and tested a cognitive model of mania and reward.

METHOD: Undergraduates (N = 284; 68.4% female; mean age = 20.99 years, standard deviation ± 3.37) completed measures of family goal setting and achievement values, personal reward-related beliefs, cognitive symptoms of mania, and risk for mania.

RESULTS

Correlational analyses and structural equation modeling supported two distinct, but related facets of mania-relevant cognition: stably present reward-related beliefs and state-dependent cognitive symptoms in response to success and positive emotion. Results also indicated that family emphasis on achievement and highly ambitious extrinsic goals were associated with these mania-relevant cognitions. Finally, controlling for other factors, cognitive symptoms in response to success and positive emotion were uniquely associated with lifetime propensity towards mania symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Results support the merit of distinguishing between facets of mania-relevant cognition and the importance of the family in shaping both aspects of cognition.