A goal-striving life event and the onset of hypomanic and depressive episodes and symptoms: perspective from the behavioral approach system (BAS) dysregulation theory.

Full Abstract

On the basis of the behavioral approach system (BAS) dysregulation theory of bipolar disorder, this study examined the relation between occurrence of a BAS activation-relevant life event--goal striving--and onset of hypomanic and depressive episodes and symptoms. In particular, the authors examined the relation between preparing for and completing final exams (a goal-striving event) and onset of bipolar spectrum episodes and symptoms in college students with bipolar II disorder or cyclothymia (i.e., "soft" bipolar spectrum conditions). One hundred fifty-nine individuals with either a bipolar spectrum disorder (n=68) or no major affective psychopathology (controls; n=91) were further classified on the basis of whether they were college students (i.e., completed final exams). Consistent with the BAS dysregulation theory, preparing for and completing final exams was associated with an increase in hypomanic but not depressive episodes and symptoms in individuals with a soft bipolar spectrum diagnosis. Furthermore, self-reported BAS sensitivity moderated the presence of certain hypomanic symptoms during final exams.(c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Nusslock, Robin (R); Abramson, Lyn Y (LY); Harmon-Jones, Eddie (E); Alloy, Lauren B (LB); Hogan, Michael E (ME);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. nusslock(-atsign-)wisc.edu

Grants: MH 52662 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Journal of abnormal psychology (J Abnorm Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Feb; vol 116 (issue 1) : pp 105-15

Dates: Created 2007/02/27; Completed 2007/04/20; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 17324021, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Bipolar Disorder - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology
Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology
Female
Goals

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.