Affective Instability in Different Diagnostic Groups: A pilot Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Affective instability in different diagnostic groups: a pilot study
IRAS ID
136324
Contact name
Steven Marwaha
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust
Research summary
Fluctuating mood (Affective Instability, AI) is a symptom that is seen in many different psychiatric conditions. Previous research has indicated its association as a risk factor for developing Bipolar disorder in the future or increased risk of self harming behaviour. Despite its importance in many separate disorders, there is little research to date that has compared fluctuating mood across different diagnostic groups using the same assessment procedures. One reason for this may be the lack of clarity around the definition of this term and how it can be measured.
A systematic review of the literature resulted in a proposed definition of AI as“rapid oscillations of intense affect, with a difficulty in regulating these oscillations or their behavioural consequences”
With this in mind, this pilot study aims to explore the validity of our approach to defining AI by addressing three objectives. Firstly we will investigate Affective instability (AI) in different diagnostic groups (Bipolar, major depression, non-affective psychosis and borderline personality disorder). Secondly we will investigate whether AI is associated with functioning. And lastly we will examine the latent structure of AI in those with psychiatric diagnosis.
Three different questionnaires will be administered to the four diagnostic groups. From a total of 200 participants, we aim to recruit 25 cases per condition with an additional group of age and gender matched control participants who do not currently have a common mental health problem or a previous diagnosis.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0463
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion