SOCIAL-CLASS IN UNIPOLAR AND BIPOLAR PROBANDS AND RELATIVES

130 patients fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria for bipolar disorder (n = 6 2), bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (n = 19) and major depres sion (n = 49) were included in a comparative study on the occupational levels of uni- and bipolar probands and relatives. The occupational l evels did not significantly differ between uni- and bipolar probands. An overrepresentation was found in the higher occupational class in bi polar probands' brothers and children. A comparison between the whole groups including probands and all their relatives revealed a social ad vantage both for male and female members of bipolar families. These re sults are in agreement with those of previous studies demonstrating an association between bipolar disorder and social achievement in relati ves.