B4085 - The structure of HCL-32 in ALSPAC - 01/06/2022

B number: 
B4085
Principal applicant name: 
Steven Marwaha | University of Birmingham (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
MSc Buse Beril Durdurak, Professor Rachel Upthegrove
Title of project: 
The structure of HCL-32 in ALSPAC
Proposal summary: 

Non-clinical individuals with subsyndromal hypomanic experiences have been shown to be at a heightened risk for developing BD and have been linked to similar severity and impairment experienced by people with BD. A better understanding of the characterisation of hypomania in young people may help improve accurate and timely diagnosis of BD. Despite its potential importance, limited research is available concerning the structure of hypomania among non-clinical young people, particularly in the UK. Therefore, the current study will explore the structure and characterisation of hypomania in a British nonclinical cohort. We propose to examine the distribution and underlying structure of components of hypomania in ALSPAC, along with measure of different psychological and psychopathological dimensions and investigate hypomania symptoms’ association with other psychopathological variables (e.g., substance abuse). Using confirmatory factor analysis and latent class analysis, this study may help explore the structure and characterisation of hypomania in young people. Better understanding of hypomania could provide opportunities for targeted intervention and prevention.

Impact of research: 
BDs is one of the most burdensome mental health conditions worldwide in young people aged less than 25. The premature mortality and considerable morbidity among young people have encouraged clinicians and researchers to investigate the psychopathology of subthreshold presentations of BD. Using confirmatory factor analyses and latent class analyses may help explore the structure and characterisation of hypomania in a British child and adolescent nonclinical cohort and have implications for the aetiological study of BD. This method could represent potential therapeutic targets for effective early intervention policy development in at-risk BD populations who may wish to know their risk of developing BD and receive adequate diagnosis early on in their care. Additionally, greater understanding of the hypomanic dimensions and their correlates could provide some explanations for delayed diagnosis of BD.
Date proposal received: 
Monday, 30 May, 2022
Date proposal approved: 
Wednesday, 1 June, 2022
Keywords: 
Mental health - Psychology, Psychiatry, Cognition, Mental health, Statistical methods, Statistical methods