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The association of affective temperaments and bipolar spectrum psychopathology: An experience sampling study

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Abstract

Affective temperaments are trait-like expressions of affect that underlie mood psychopathology. Numerous studies have examined affective temperaments in laboratory-based studies; however, few have examined the expression of these temperaments in daily life. The present study examined affective temperaments and their associations with the expression of bipolar spectrum characteristics in daily life using experience sampling methodology. Young adults (n = 290) completed the TEMPS-A and were signaled eight times daily for 1 week to complete smartphone surveys assessing affect, cognition, and behavior. Hyperthymic temperament was associated with positive affect, sense of self, and success. In contrast, cyclothymic/irritable temperament was associated with negative affect, impulsivity, negative sense of self, and difficulty concentrating. Those high in cyclothymic/irritable temperament were especially reactive to the experience of stress. Affective temperaments were differentially associated with the expression of bipolar spectrum psychopathology in daily life. The findings offer validation of the TEMPS-A, as well as the adaptive and maladaptive characteristics of hyperthymic and cyclothymic/irritable temperaments.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Alyssa Bathery, Menghan Luo, Lindsey Grupp, and Christina King for their proof reading and comments on the manuscript.

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This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 603 E Daniel Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA

    Sarah H. Sperry & Thomas R. Kwapil

  2. Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Neus Barrantes-Vidal

  3. Sant Pere Claver – Fundació Sanitària, Barcelona, Spain

    Neus Barrantes-Vidal

  4. CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain

    Neus Barrantes-Vidal

  5. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA

    Neus Barrantes-Vidal & Thomas R. Kwapil

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  1. Sarah H. Sperry
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  2. Neus Barrantes-Vidal
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Correspondence to Sarah H. Sperry.

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Sperry, S.H., Barrantes-Vidal, N. & Kwapil, T.R. The association of affective temperaments and bipolar spectrum psychopathology: An experience sampling study. Motiv Emot 42, 126–136 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-017-9652-4

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