Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD); Outcomes and Recommendations From an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Taskforce Study

T. E. Van Rheenen; K. E. Lewandowski; A. Pinkham; C. Varo; G. Caruana; J. Gruber; J. Zarp; A. H. Young; L. N. Yatham; E. Vieta; I. J. Torres; D. Tsapekos; T. Sumiyoshi; P. R.A. Stokes; A. Schaffer; S. Purdon; R. J. Porter; R. S. McIntyre; A. Martinez-Aran; C. López-Jaramillo; B. Lafer; L. V. Kessing; H. L. Kjærstad; G. Hasler; P. Gallagher; K. Douglas; A. Dols; A. F. Carvalho; K. E. Burdick; C. R. Bowie; C. M. Bonnin; V. Balanzá-Martínez; K. W. Miskowiak

doi:10.1111/bdi.70083

Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD); Outcomes and Recommendations From an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Taskforce Study

T. E. Van Rheenen^*, K. E. Lewandowski, A. Pinkham, C. Varo, G. Caruana, J. Gruber, J. Zarp, A. H. Young, L. N. Yatham, E. Vieta, I. J. Torres, D. Tsapekos, T. Sumiyoshi, P. R.A. Stokes, A. Schaffer, S. Purdon, R. J. Porter, R. S. McIntyre, A. Martinez-Aran, C. López-JaramilloB. Lafer, L. V. Kessing, H. L. Kjærstad, G. Hasler, P. Gallagher, K. Douglas, A. Dols, A. F. Carvalho, K. E. Burdick, C. R. Bowie, C. M. Bonnin, V. Balanzá-Martínez, K. W. Miskowiak

^*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

Background: The Consensus on subdomains and measures of Affective and Social cognition for research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD) project aimed to formulate preliminary consensus-based recommendations for assessing affective and social cognition in BD. Methods: Three sequential surveys administered to experts on affective and social cognition in BD were conducted using the Delphi process. Experts responded to questions regarding affective and social cognition subdomains and rated their importance to research on BD. Experts also nominated measures, rated them for suitability, and ranked them by preference for use. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement. Results: 31 experts completed the initial survey, with 20–23 completing subsequent surveys. Consensus was obtained for the subdomain structure of both affective cognition and social cognition, and the definition of each subdomain within. Explicit emotion regulation was ranked as being of highest priority for further research on affective cognition, and theory of mind as highest priority for further research on social cognition. The top-preferenced measures of all affective cognition subdomains were considered by consensus to be suitable for use in BD research. Agreement that the top-preferenced measures of social cognition were suitable ranged from 71.5% to 95.3%. Discussion: Expert consensus on subdomains and measures of affective and social cognition for research on BD was obtained via a staged approach. Prior familiarity may have influenced some experts' rankings, but generally there was a notable lack of consistency in the use of available measures by BD experts. This reaffirms the need for more specific guidance and validated batteries of social and affective cognition to direct the field and allow for more consistency and replication of research in the future.

Original language	English
Article number	e70083
Journal	Bipolar Disorders
Volume	28
Issue number	2
ISSN	1398-5647
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/bdi.70083
Publication status	Published - Mar 2026

Keywords

bipolar disorders
consensus battery
Delphi study
expert panel
mood disorders
neuropsychology
staged-approach
staged-study

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Van Rheenen, T. E., Lewandowski, K. E., Pinkham, A., Varo, C., Caruana, G., Gruber, J., Zarp, J., Young, A. H., Yatham, L. N., Vieta, E., Torres, I. J., Tsapekos, D., Sumiyoshi, T., Stokes, P. R. A., Schaffer, A., Purdon, S., Porter, R. J., McIntyre, R. S., Martinez-Aran, A., ... Miskowiak, K. W. (2026). Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD); Outcomes and Recommendations From an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Taskforce Study. Bipolar Disorders, 28(2), Article e70083. https://doi.org/10.1111/bdi.70083

Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD); Outcomes and Recommendations From an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Taskforce Study. / Van Rheenen, T. E.; Lewandowski, K. E.; Pinkham, A. et al.
In: Bipolar Disorders, Vol. 28, No. 2, e70083, 03.2026.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Van Rheenen, TE, Lewandowski, KE, Pinkham, A, Varo, C, Caruana, G, Gruber, J, Zarp, J, Young, AH, Yatham, LN, Vieta, E, Torres, IJ, Tsapekos, D, Sumiyoshi, T, Stokes, PRA, Schaffer, A, Purdon, S, Porter, RJ, McIntyre, RS, Martinez-Aran, A, López-Jaramillo, C, Lafer, B, Kessing, LV , Kjærstad, HL, Hasler, G, Gallagher, P, Douglas, K, Dols, A, Carvalho, AF, Burdick, KE, Bowie, CR, Bonnin, CM, Balanzá-Martínez, V & Miskowiak, KW 2026, 'Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD); Outcomes and Recommendations From an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Taskforce Study', Bipolar Disorders, vol. 28, no. 2, e70083. https://doi.org/10.1111/bdi.70083

Van Rheenen TE, Lewandowski KE, Pinkham A, Varo C, Caruana G, Gruber J et al. Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD); Outcomes and Recommendations From an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Taskforce Study. Bipolar Disorders. 2026 Mar;28(2):e70083. doi: 10.1111/bdi.70083

@article{6b6ed8477b0744888b2f3e162ec3f3f3,

title = "Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD); Outcomes and Recommendations From an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Taskforce Study",

abstract = "Background: The Consensus on subdomains and measures of Affective and Social cognition for research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD) project aimed to formulate preliminary consensus-based recommendations for assessing affective and social cognition in BD. Methods: Three sequential surveys administered to experts on affective and social cognition in BD were conducted using the Delphi process. Experts responded to questions regarding affective and social cognition subdomains and rated their importance to research on BD. Experts also nominated measures, rated them for suitability, and ranked them by preference for use. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80\% agreement. Results: 31 experts completed the initial survey, with 20–23 completing subsequent surveys. Consensus was obtained for the subdomain structure of both affective cognition and social cognition, and the definition of each subdomain within. Explicit emotion regulation was ranked as being of highest priority for further research on affective cognition, and theory of mind as highest priority for further research on social cognition. The top-preferenced measures of all affective cognition subdomains were considered by consensus to be suitable for use in BD research. Agreement that the top-preferenced measures of social cognition were suitable ranged from 71.5\% to 95.3\%. Discussion: Expert consensus on subdomains and measures of affective and social cognition for research on BD was obtained via a staged approach. Prior familiarity may have influenced some experts' rankings, but generally there was a notable lack of consistency in the use of available measures by BD experts. This reaffirms the need for more specific guidance and validated batteries of social and affective cognition to direct the field and allow for more consistency and replication of research in the future.",

keywords = "bipolar disorders, consensus battery, Delphi study, expert panel, mood disorders, neuropsychology, staged-approach, staged-study",

author = "\{Van Rheenen\}, \{T. E.\} and Lewandowski, \{K. E.\} and A. Pinkham and C. Varo and G. Caruana and J. Gruber and J. Zarp and Young, \{A. H.\} and Yatham, \{L. N.\} and E. Vieta and Torres, \{I. J.\} and D. Tsapekos and T. Sumiyoshi and Stokes, \{P. R.A.\} and A. Schaffer and S. Purdon and Porter, \{R. J.\} and McIntyre, \{R. S.\} and A. Martinez-Aran and C. L{\'o}pez-Jaramillo and B. Lafer and Kessing, \{L. V.\} and Kj{\ae}rstad, \{H. L.\} and G. Hasler and P. Gallagher and K. Douglas and A. Dols and Carvalho, \{A. F.\} and Burdick, \{K. E.\} and Bowie, \{C. R.\} and Bonnin, \{C. M.\} and V. Balanz{\'a}-Mart{\'i}nez and Miskowiak, \{K. W.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 The Author(s). Bipolar Disorders published by John Wiley \& Sons Ltd.",

year = "2026",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1111/bdi.70083",

language = "English",

volume = "28",

journal = "Bipolar Disorders",

issn = "1398-5647",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc",

number = "2",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD); Outcomes and Recommendations From an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Taskforce Study

AU - Van Rheenen, T. E.

AU - Lewandowski, K. E.

AU - Pinkham, A.

AU - Varo, C.

AU - Caruana, G.

AU - Gruber, J.

AU - Zarp, J.

AU - Young, A. H.

AU - Yatham, L. N.

AU - Vieta, E.

AU - Torres, I. J.

AU - Tsapekos, D.

AU - Sumiyoshi, T.

AU - Stokes, P. R.A.

AU - Schaffer, A.

AU - Purdon, S.

AU - Porter, R. J.

AU - McIntyre, R. S.

AU - Martinez-Aran, A.

AU - López-Jaramillo, C.

AU - Lafer, B.

AU - Kessing, L. V.

AU - Kjærstad, H. L.

AU - Hasler, G.

AU - Gallagher, P.

AU - Douglas, K.

AU - Dols, A.

AU - Carvalho, A. F.

AU - Burdick, K. E.

AU - Bowie, C. R.

AU - Bonnin, C. M.

AU - Balanzá-Martínez, V.

AU - Miskowiak, K. W.

PY - 2026/3

Y1 - 2026/3

N2 - Background: The Consensus on subdomains and measures of Affective and Social cognition for research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD) project aimed to formulate preliminary consensus-based recommendations for assessing affective and social cognition in BD. Methods: Three sequential surveys administered to experts on affective and social cognition in BD were conducted using the Delphi process. Experts responded to questions regarding affective and social cognition subdomains and rated their importance to research on BD. Experts also nominated measures, rated them for suitability, and ranked them by preference for use. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement. Results: 31 experts completed the initial survey, with 20–23 completing subsequent surveys. Consensus was obtained for the subdomain structure of both affective cognition and social cognition, and the definition of each subdomain within. Explicit emotion regulation was ranked as being of highest priority for further research on affective cognition, and theory of mind as highest priority for further research on social cognition. The top-preferenced measures of all affective cognition subdomains were considered by consensus to be suitable for use in BD research. Agreement that the top-preferenced measures of social cognition were suitable ranged from 71.5% to 95.3%. Discussion: Expert consensus on subdomains and measures of affective and social cognition for research on BD was obtained via a staged approach. Prior familiarity may have influenced some experts' rankings, but generally there was a notable lack of consistency in the use of available measures by BD experts. This reaffirms the need for more specific guidance and validated batteries of social and affective cognition to direct the field and allow for more consistency and replication of research in the future.

AB - Background: The Consensus on subdomains and measures of Affective and Social cognition for research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD) project aimed to formulate preliminary consensus-based recommendations for assessing affective and social cognition in BD. Methods: Three sequential surveys administered to experts on affective and social cognition in BD were conducted using the Delphi process. Experts responded to questions regarding affective and social cognition subdomains and rated their importance to research on BD. Experts also nominated measures, rated them for suitability, and ranked them by preference for use. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement. Results: 31 experts completed the initial survey, with 20–23 completing subsequent surveys. Consensus was obtained for the subdomain structure of both affective cognition and social cognition, and the definition of each subdomain within. Explicit emotion regulation was ranked as being of highest priority for further research on affective cognition, and theory of mind as highest priority for further research on social cognition. The top-preferenced measures of all affective cognition subdomains were considered by consensus to be suitable for use in BD research. Agreement that the top-preferenced measures of social cognition were suitable ranged from 71.5% to 95.3%. Discussion: Expert consensus on subdomains and measures of affective and social cognition for research on BD was obtained via a staged approach. Prior familiarity may have influenced some experts' rankings, but generally there was a notable lack of consistency in the use of available measures by BD experts. This reaffirms the need for more specific guidance and validated batteries of social and affective cognition to direct the field and allow for more consistency and replication of research in the future.

KW - bipolar disorders

KW - consensus battery

KW - Delphi study

KW - expert panel

KW - mood disorders

KW - neuropsychology

KW - staged-approach

KW - staged-study

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105030382188

U2 - 10.1111/bdi.70083

DO - 10.1111/bdi.70083

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 41703784

AN - SCOPUS:105030382188

SN - 1398-5647

VL - 28

JO - Bipolar Disorders

JF - Bipolar Disorders

IS - 2

M1 - e70083

ER -

Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS-BD); Outcomes and Recommendations From an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Taskforce Study

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