Hypomanic traits and response styles to depression.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that the manic defence involves specific response styles to depression, namely distraction and indulging in dangerous activities.


METHODS
A correlational study was conducted with undergraduate participants assessed for hypomanic traits using Eckblad and Chapman's Hypomanic Personality Scale.


METHODS
Participants also completed the Beck Depression Inventory, and an expanded version of Nolen-Hoeksema's Response Styles Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Depression was strongly associated with a ruminative response style. Hypomanic traits were associated with rumination, a distraction response style and with indulging in dangerous activities. However, as only 17% of the variance in hypomania scores was accounted for, other factors must play an important role in determining this trait.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypomania (and possibly mania) may be products of ineffective styles of coping with negative emotions.
Thomas
Justin
J
Department of Psychology, University of Manchester, UK.
Bentall
Richard P
RP
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires