Characterization and structure of hypomania in a British nonclinical adolescent sample

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to test the validity of using the Hypomania Checklist-16 [HCL-16] to measure hypomania in a British adolescent community sample. Limited research is available concerning the characterization of hypomania among community adolescent samples, particularly in the UK, despite its potential importance for early intervention policy development.MethodTo explore the structure and characterization of hypomania in a British adolescent nonclinical cohort, over 1400 17 year olds (Mean=17.05 years; SD=0.88) completed the HCL-16 along with measures of different psychological and psychopathological dimensions.ResultsPrincipal components analysis revealed a 2-component solution for the HCL-16, described as active-elated and irritable/risk-taking. Hypomanic symptoms were significantly correlated with many psychopathological dimensions. There were distinct correlation patterns for the two HCL-16 subscales, with the irritability/risk-taking subscale showing significantly stronger associations with psychotic-like experiences, internalizing and externalizing problems, and reduced life satisfaction relative to the active-elated dimension. Adolescents at ‘high-risk’ for bipolar disorder reported more psychopathology relative to the comparison group.LimitationsAbsence of the clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder in the sample means that the classification of the ‘high-risk’ group cannot be confirmed.ConclusionsThe structure of the HCL-16 in this UK adolescent sample mirrored that observed in adult and clinical cohorts. The observed links between the HCL-16 and psychopathological dimensions that have been previously associated with both hypomania and bipolar disorder lend support to the HCL-16's validity as a hypomania instrument for adolescents. Better understanding of hypomania prior to adulthood has considerable potential for informing early intervention approaches.

Association of Genetic and Environmental Risks for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Hypomanic Symptoms in Youths

“…Significant, modest correlations between adolescent hypomanic and hyperactivity symptoms have also been reported. 2 , 9 The ADHD symptom domains of hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention may be differentially associated with BD. One study 10 found that BD was associated with inattentive and combined but not hyperactive-impulsive ADHD presentations.…”

Are sleep disturbances causally linked to the presence and severity of psychotic-like, dissociative and hypomanic experiences in non-clinical populations? A systematic review

“…Non-clinical hypomanic experiences are defined as attenuated manic experiences in the absence of a reported clinical diagnosis (Depue et al, 1981). Non-clinical individuals with hypomanic experiences has also been shown to be at a A C C E P T E D M A N U S C R I P T heightened risk for developing mood disorders such as bipolar disorder (Blechert & Meyer, 2005) and hypomanic experiences correlate with psychotic-like experiences in non-clinical samples (Hosang et al, 2017).…”

A Systematic Literature Review of the Hypomania Check List (HCL-32) for Adolescents: Relevance of Developmental Stage and Relationship Status during Screening

“…Additionally, they found a three-factor solution, where RT/I divided into Disinhibition/Stimulation-Seeking and Irritable-Erratic dimensions, that can potentially improve diagnostic specificity for adolescents. Furthermore, adolescents with increased active/elated Prepublicaciones OpenCiencia https://doi.org/10.47073/preprints.12 Non peerreviewed 12 symptoms are at risk for poor treatment seeking and adherence since they tend to view their symptoms as less pathological (Hosang et al, 2017).…”

“…RT/I was more strongly related to psychopathology: psychotic experiences, internalizing/externalizing problems, and reduced life satisfaction. However, adolescents with a family history of BD had increased total and A/E scores (Hosang et al, 2017).…”

“…High scores in the D/SS and I-E sub-categories were indicative of externalizing problems: substance abuse, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD), which can point to early-onset BD (Holtmann et al, 2009). Similarly, Hosang, Cardno, Freeman & Ronald (2017) conducted assessed the underlying structure of the HCL-16, a shortened version of the HCL-32, with a principal components analysis and tested its validity for screening BD in adolescents (n=1400 non-clinical adolescents, M age=17.05, SD=.88). The HCL-16 had two factors: A/E and RT/I.…”