Looking for bipolar spectrum psychopathology: identification and expression in daily life

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Molly S. Armistead (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Thomas R. Kwapil

Abstract: Current clinical and epidemiological research provides support for a continuum of bipolar psychopathology: a bipolar spectrum that ranges from subclinical manifestations to full-blown bipolar disorders. The present research examined the validity of the Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS) as a measure of bipolar spectrum psychopathology in a nonclinically identified sample of young adults. In the first study, participants were interviewed and completed questionnaires regarding psychopathology, personality, and functioning. The HPS was positively associated with DSM-IV-TR bipolar disorders, bipolar spectrum disorders, the presence of hypomania or hyperthymia, depressive symptoms, poor psychosocial functioning, cyclothymia, irritability, and symptoms of borderline personality disorder. The second study employed experience sampling methodology to examine the expression of bipolar spectrum psychopathology in daily life. Consistent with the hypotheses, the HPS was associated with negative affect, thought disturbance, risky behavior, and measures of grandiosity. Individuals who scored highly on the HPS were more reactive in negative affect in response to stress and how positively they viewed their situation, and experienced difficulty concentrating regardless of how they viewed their situation. The HPS accounted for variance in bipolar spectrum psychopathology over and above the normal personality dimensions of extraversion and openness to experience. Furthermore, the findings for the HPS remained independent of DSM-IV-TR bipolar disorders--consistent with the hypothesis that the spectrum of bipolar psychopathology extends beyond traditional clinical disorders to include subclinical manifestations. Together, these studies provide further validation of the HPS as a measure of bipolar spectrum psychopathology.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2010
Keywords
Bipolar disorder, Bipolar spectrum, Experience sampling methodology, Hypomanic Personality Scale
Subjects
Manic-depressive illness $x Research.
Scale analysis (Psychology)
Psychology, Pathological $x Methods.
Psychometrics.
Psychiatry $x Research.

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