EPV214 - Implication of affective traits in bipolar vulnerability: A study of university students.
EPV214
Implication of affective traits in bipolar vulnerability: A study of university students.
N. Regaieg 1, H. Mezghani 1,*, F. Guermazi 1, R. Masmoudi 1, I. Feki 1, J. Masmoudi 1, I. Baati 1
1Psychiatry A Department, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
Introduction: Emotional fluctuations and emotional hyperreactivity characterize bipolar disorder. These affective patterns are often linked to enduring personality traits. Gaining a better understanding of the relationship between affective temperaments and bipolar vulnerability facilitates the identification of those at risk.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between affective temperaments and bipolar vulnerability among students at the Institute of Arts and Crafts in Sfax, Tunisia.
Methods: Our study was cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical, conducted from February 1st to March 5th, 2025, among students at the Institute of Arts and Crafts in Sfax (Tunisia). These students were assessed using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire including sociodemographic, clinical, and additional data, as well as two psychometric scales in their Arabic versions: the Tunisian TEMPERAMENT Scale (TEMPS) to measure affective temperaments and the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), used for screening for bipolar disorder.
Results: The study included 60 students, with a sex ratio of 0.6. The median age of the sample was 20 years [19-22 years]. According to the MDQ scale, 28.3% of the sample had a positive score, indicating a possible screening for bipolar disorder.
Among these students with a positive MDQ score, 66.3% reported difficulties controlling their emotions, with frequent changes between periods of high energy and moments of emotional weakness, and 41.7% of students indicated having made impulsive decisions during periods of intense emotions, often marked by excess energy or a state of excitement.
Moreover, 56.7% of these students reported experiencing periods where they felt unusually euphoric, hyperactive, or particularly sad for no apparent reason.
Our study showed that students with a positive MDQ score had significantly higher cyclothymic and hyperthymic temperament scores than those with a negative MDQ score (p < 0.001).
Conversely, no significant association was found between a positive screening result for bipolar disorder and scores attributed to depressive, anxious or irritable affectives temperaments.
Conclusions: Understanding how affective temperaments interact with vulnerability to mood disorders in artistic students could improve prevention and early management of the disorder.
Disclosure of Interest: None Declared