Screening the risk of bipolar spectrum disorders: Validity evidence of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire in adolescents and young adults

Publication date: Available online 15 February 2016 Source:Revista de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental (English Edition) Author(s): Eduardo Fonseca-Pedrero, Javier Ortuño-Sierra, Mercedes Paino, José Muñiz The aim of this study was to gather sources of validity evidence of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) in young adults for its use as a screening tool for bipolar spectrum disorders. The sample was composed of 1002 participants, 268 men (26.7%). The mean age of participants was 21.1 years (SD =3.9). The results showed that between 3 and 59% of the sample reported some hypomanic experience. Gender differences were found in the total score of the MDQ. The analysis of the internal structure by exploratory factor analysis yielded 2 factors, called Energy-Activity and Disinhibition-Attention. This dimensional structure was replicated in the exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM), and also had factorial equivalence by gender. Participants who met the cut-off points of the MDQ reported a worse perceived mental health status and more consummatory and anticipatory pleasure, compared to the low scores group. These findings indicate that the MDQ has adequate psychometric properties in non-clinical samples, and could be useful as a screening tool in psychopathology, with the possibility of optimising strategies for early identification and prevention in individuals at high risk for bipolar disorders. Future studies should further explore the role of subclinical b...

Source: Revista de Psiquiatria y Salud Mental - February 16, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research