Correlates of the hypomanic personality scale: results from a family sample

The present study attempted to replicate the correlations between the Hypomanic Personality Scale [Eckblad, M., & Chapman, L. J. (1986). Development and validation of a scale for hypomanic personality. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95, 214–222.] and related constructs in a German sample. The participants (n=442) completed a set of questionnaires, including the Hyp scale, psychosis proneness indicators and screening questions concerning personality disorders. Using the Hyp scale, a high-risk group (n=45) was defined, and a control group was matched for age and sex (n=45). The German version of the Hyp scale achieved correlations that parallel with those reported for British and American samples, that is, the Hyp scale is associated with Magical Ideation, Perceptual Aberration and Impulsive Nonconformity but not with Anhedonia. Controlling for psychosis-proneness, the Hyp group only exceeded the control group on self-report ratings of Obsessive-compulsive, and Borderline personality disorder dimensions. The present suggests that the Hyp scale taps the same construct in German samples and should be further investigated as a potential indicator for a heightened risk in the development of affective disorders.