Table 1.

Mean scores of IAS test items in group with lithium (n = 20) and group without lithium (n = 20)

Negative consequences of ill health – IAS test statements	Group	M	SD	Mann-Whitney test
1. I have trouble adapting to the limitations imposed by the disease	Lithium	2.43	1.45	z= 2.11
	Non-lithium	3.54	1.34	p= .035
2. Due to my health condition I am not able to do what I like most	Lithium	2.56	1.49	z = –1.98
	Non-lithium	3.68	1.52	p = .048
3. Illness sometimes makes me feel unnecessary	Lithium	2.12	1.41	z = –2.91
	Non-lithium	2.87	1.49	p = .004
4. Health problems make me more dependent on others than I want to be	Lithium	2.73	1.32	z = 0.03
	Non-lithium	2.82	1.61	p = .976
5. The illness makes me a burden on my family and friends	Lithium	2.31	1.24	z = 1.67
	Non-lithium	3.25	1.47	p = .095
6. My state of health does not make me feel full of myself	Lithium	2.62	1.55	z = 1.67
	Non-lithium	3.51	1.57	p = .095
7. I will never be as self-sufficient as I would like to be	Lithium	2.62	1.29	z = 2.42
	Non-lithium	3.76	1.40	p = .016
8. I think that people staying with me are often embarrassed by my illness	Lithium	2.81	1.27	z = 0.87
	Non-lithium	3.15	1.35	p = .384

Note. IAS – Illness Acceptance Scale.