Abstract
BackgroundBipolar psychopathology is characterized by affective dysregulation independent of mood episodes. However, previous research has relied on laboratory-based emotion-eliciting tasks or retrospective questionnaires that do not take into account temporal dynamics of affect. Thus, the present study examined affective dynamics (reactivity, variability, instability, and inertia) of low and high arousal negative affect (NA) and positive affect (PA) in daily life in those at risk for bipolar psychopathology. MethodsUndergraduates (n = 135) completed the Hypomanic Personality Scale and experience sampling surveys assessing affective experiences 8 times daily for 7 days. ResultsHPS scores were associated with greater reactivity of NA when experiencing negative or stressful events, variability of NA (high and low arousal) and PA (high arousal), and instability of NA and PA (high and low arousal) in daily life. HPS scores were associated with a high probability of acute increases in NA and PA and were unassociated with levels of inertia. LimitationsThis study only examined short-term dynamics over 7 days. Future studies should model both short- and long-term dynamics and whether these dynamics predict behavioral outcomes. ConclusionsThese results provide evidence that bipolar spectrum psychopathology is characterized by reactivity of NA as well as variability, instability, and acute increases in NA and PA in daily life over-and-above mean levels of affect. Modeling affective dynamics may provide context-relevant information about the course and trajectory of bipolar spectrum psychopathology and should facilitate the use of experience sampling methodology to study and intervene in mood lability in patients with bipolar disorders.
Highlights
Bipolar disorders affect approximately 4% of the population (Merikangas et al, 2007) and account for more than 150 billion dollars in direct and indirect costs annually in the United States (Dilsaver, 2011)
Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS) scores covered a wide range on the measure (M = 18.44, SD = 8.09, range = 2–43) consistent with other studies using the HPS with undergraduate students (e.g., Kwapil et al, 2011, Walsh et al, 2012, Walsh et al, 2015, Sperry et al, 2015, Sperry and Kwapil, 2017)
Number of completed experience sampling methodology (ESM) surveys was unassociated with HPS scores (r = 0.01, p = .95) indicating that there were no systematic differences in amount of missing protocols between those who are high or low on the HPS
Summary
Bipolar disorders affect approximately 4% of the population (Merikangas et al, 2007) and account for more than 150 billion dollars in direct and indirect costs annually in the United States (Dilsaver, 2011). The present study examined affective dynamics (reactivity, variability, instability, and inertia) of low and high arousal negative affect (NA) and positive affect (PA) in daily life in those at risk for bipolar psychopathology. Results: HPS scores were associated with greater reactivity of NA when experiencing negative or stressful events, variability of NA (high and low arousal) and PA (high arousal), and instability of NA and PA (high and low arousal) in daily life. Conclusions: These results provide evidence that bipolar spectrum psychopathology is characterized by reactivity of NA as well as variability, instability, and acute increases in NA and PA in daily life over-and-above mean levels of affect. Modeling affective dynamics may provide context-relevant information about the course and trajectory of bipolar spectrum psychopathology and should facilitate the use of experience sampling methodology to study and intervene in mood lability in patients with bipolar disorders
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
