Abstract :
We discuss the Hypomanic Personality Scale (Hyp; Eckblad & Chapman, 1986) and the Behavioral
Inhibition System (BIS–BAS; Carver & White, 1994) and Behavioral Activation System
(BAS; Gray, 1991) Scales as risk factors for bipolar disorders. The dysregulation of the
BAS is considered to be central and results in higher variability in mood. Therefore, we examined
how those scales are associated with mood fluctuations. A total of 59 participants completed
a diary for at least 17 days. It included a modified Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression
Scale (Meyer & Hautzinger, 2001) assessing depression and mania and the Positive
and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988). Hyp and BAS predicted levels
of mania and of positive affect but also fluctuations of mania. Hyp also predicted instability
of negative affect. Our data also suggest that mood variability is a trait-like feature. Both scales
seem not to be perfect measures of the dysregulation factor. Future research should assess this
dysregulation more directly.
