Table 4 Summary of findings on bipolar disorder

Koenders et al. (2015) [60]

Perceived social support

Depressive symptomatology;

Depression related functional impairment;

Manic symptomatology;

Manic related functional impairment

++

++

Lower perceived support predicted more depression related functional impairment during the subsequent 3 months (β (SE) = − 0.14 (0.03), p < 0.001), and with more depressive symptomatology at the subsequent time point (β (SE) = − 0.14 (0.04), p = 0.002). No significant associations between perceived social support and manic symptoms and impairment were observed

−

−

Cohen et al. (2004) [63]

Perceived social support

Recurrence

++

After controlling for clinical variables, lower social support of any kind significantly predicted recurrence of any type at one year (β (SE) = − 0.09 (0.04), p = 0.03, OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.85–0.99)

Daniels (2000) [61]

Perceived social support

Depressive symptomatology;

Manic symptomatology;

Functional impairment

++

++

++

Lower perceived support was a significant predictor of more severe depressive symptomatology after controlling for initial levels of depression (R² = 0.67, F = 34.15, ΔR² = 0.05, ΔF = 5.24, beta = − 0.25). Lower perceived support significantly predicted more severe manic symptomatology over three months (R² = 0.18, F = 3.74, ΔR² = 0.10, ΔF = 4.18, beta = − 0.32). Lower perceived social support significantly predicted impairment in functioning in the participants who completed their life charts for 90 consecutive days, after controlling for initial levels of functional impairment (R² = 0.44, F = 5.48, ΔR² = 0.41, ΔF = 10.22, beta = − 0.67).

Johnson et al. (1999) [62]

Perceived social support

Time to recovery;

Severity of depressive symptoms; Severity of manic symptoms

++

++

−

Lower social support was a significant predictor of longer time to recovery in Cox regression survival analyses (χ2 (1, N = 52) change = 5.89, one-tailed p < 0.01). In hierarchical multiple regression analyses, low social support predicted higher depression over time (regression coefficient = − 1.33, p < 0.01, R² change = 0.07, F change = 11.70). Social support did not have significant impact on mania score at 6-month follow-up