Bipolar disorder and leadership - a total population study

• ObjectiveTo investigate whether persons with bipolar disorder and their siblings have leadership traits and are overrepresented in executive professions. MethodA nested case-control study based on longitudinal Swedish total population registries. Data from officer suitability interviews (n=1126519), and information on occupations were collected. Bipolar patients (n=68915) and their healthy siblings were compared with controls. ResultsBipolar patients without comorbidity (pure; n=22980) were overrepresented in both the highest and lowest strata of officer suitability; their healthy siblings in the highest strata only. Patients with pure bipolar disorder were underrepresented in executive professions, whereas their siblings were overrepresented in these professions (particularly political professions). Patients with general bipolar disorder (including those with comorbidities) and their healthy siblings were overrepresented only in the lowest strata of officer suitability ratings. General bipolar patients were underrepresented in executive professions, whereas their siblings had similar rates of executive professions as controls. Adjusting results for IQ slightly attenuated point estimates, but resulted in pure bipolar patients and their siblings no longer being significantly overrepresented in superior strata of officer suitability, and siblings no longer being overrepresented in executive professions. ConclusionResults support that traits associated with bipolar disorder are linked to superior leadership qualities.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

bipolar disorder

leadership

cognition

genetics

biological evolution

BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION SYSTEM

PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH

MENTAL-ILLNESS

CREATIVITY

SCHIZOPHRENIA

PERSONALITY

RELATIVES

REGISTER

VALIDITY

COHORT

Psychiatry

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)