Exploring individual differences in the affective dynamics of bipolar spectrum psychopathology

Affective dysregulation characterizes both clinical and subclinical bipolar spectrum psychopathology. However, little is known about whether affective dysregulation is present across multiple timescales and contexts. Our preliminary studies suggested that bipolar spectrum psychopathology is associated with altered affective dynamics across seven days. Expanding on this work, we examined the association of bipolar spectrum psychopathology, as measured by the Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS), with affective dynamics within- and between-days, across 14 days. Furthermore, we examined whether bipolar spectrum psychopathology is associated with disrupted meta-emotion (emotional clarity, granularity, attention) and whether this interacts with bipolar spectrum psychopathology to predict affective dynamics. Young- adults (n=233) oversampled for high HPS scores completed self-report questionnaires and 14 days of experience sampling questionnaires assessing emotional valence and arousal. Computational approaches examined the time-series of each participant. Bipolar spectrum psychopathology was associated with hyper-reactivity, variability, and instability of high-arousal negative and positive affect both within- and between-days, indicating that micro-level dynamics are disrupted across multiple timescales. The results held after accounting for mean-levels of affect, depression, and neuroticism. Bipolar spectrum psychopathology was associated with low emotional clarity and granularity. The combination of low attention to emotion and high scores on the HPS produced the highest level of negative affect instability. Examining affective dynamics in bipolar spectrum psychopathology should enhance understanding of risk for bipolar spectrum disorders and facilitate development of mood-monitoring interventions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2020

Author dc:creator

• Sperry, Sarah Havens

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kwapil, Thomas R
• Berenbaum, Howard
• Roberts, Brent
• Hankin, Benjamin
• Fairbairn, Catharine

• Bipolar, Emotion, Affect, Dynamics, Experience Sampling Methodology, Time Series Analysis, Meta-emotion

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2020 Sarah Sperry

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/108409

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/108409