1. Incidence of Substance Use Disorder in
Bipolar I versus Bipolar II Disorder
By Krista Johnson
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to accurately research the
comorbidity differences between bipolar I and bipolar II
disorder. Bipolar II disorder is often greatly
underrepresented in many studies yet the percentages of
comorbidity have shown to be fairly close.
Introduction
While previous studies have shown BP I (Bipolar I)to have a
higher incidence of SUD (substance use disorder), the
under-representation of BP II (Bipolar II) was so large, yet
the percentages so close that it is hypothesized that bipolar
II patients actually have a higher incidence of substance use
disorder.
Data Collection Method
Clients will complete questionnaires anonymously even to
the researcher. They will wait for the forms to be
completed if done by a group until group is over, but forms
may be left with doctors or therapists for patients to
complete if they (the doctors) wish to mail them back.
Diagnoses will be obtained by patient self report or if they
are not aware of their diagnosis they will be referred to
their therapist for proper diagnosis and questionnaires will
be marked BP I or BP II. There are 17 CHR offices
throughout the state, and at least 5 state offices which
serve a large number of people in each catchment area so
we are confident to reach our goal in sampling.
Design of Study
This will be a quantitative study of bipolar I and bipolar II
patients who also suffer from substance use disorder,
possibly general anxiety disorder. The study will also be
cross-sectional. Approximately 400 participants will be
chosen to participate in the study from 2 agencies that
serve an array of people from different socioeconomic
backgrounds including those with private insurance those
on welfare or those ordered by probation or jail diversion
programs. Questionnaires using the Likert scale and a short
list of open ended questions will be used. One way Anova
test will be used for statistical analysis as well as t test and
post hoc tests if appropriate.
Population/Sampling Method
We will be targeting BP I and BP II patients also diagnosed
with substance use disorder at state clinics and Community
Clinics throughout the state of CT. Specific targets will be
Bipolar groups run at the site, co-occurring disorder groups,
and individual therapy (questionnaires and consent forms
will be left with therapists or doctors to be returned). Only
patients with BP I or BP II with substance use disorder
and/or generalized anxiety will be able to participate.
Other psychiatric diagnoses or major medical diagnoses
(which will be asked in the questionnaire) will be excluded
from the study. This will be a stratified random sampling
method.
Ethical Considerations
The questionnaires will not have client names on them,
however the consent forms will. Researchers will not be
aware of client names, as soon as consent forms are
completed they will be placed in a large envelope and
sealed. The researchers presence prior to group does have
the potential to upset some patients. If a client becomes
upset the researcher must stop the questionnaire process
immediately and excuse themselves. Patients who are
referred by the judicial system or DCF may not be forth
coming regarding substance use, however due to
anonymity researchers won’t know who the patients are.

2. Research Proposal (continued)
Budget and
timeline
Budget and Timeline
As you can see the budget is to the right, the budget for this
research takes into consideration office expenses (mostly paper
and toner), mileage, a statistical consultant to oversee not only
the statistics performed, but internal and external validity as well
as reliability, the researcher salary and salary for 3 paid interns.
This study will take place over 4 months and will cover central,
northern, southern, eastern and western CT, areas which will
allow us to cover all catchment areas for both service providers.
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