Affective Temperaments in College Students with Probable Bipolar Spectrum Disorder, Probable Eating Disorders, and Their Comorbidity
Abstract
Objectives: We intended to identify shared and distinct features of affective temperament in college students with probable bipolar spectrum disorder (BSD) and probable eating disorder (ED) and to explore how these temperaments are related to probable BSD-ED comorbidity. Methods: Totally, 1,077 college students completed self-administered measures, including copies of screening questionnaire for BSD and ED and the short version of the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego – Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). Individuals with probable BSD and probable ED were identified using the Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale and Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale, respectively. Affective temperament scores of probable BSD and probable ED groups were compared with their respective matched controls (1: 4 ratio). Comparisons were also done across the probable BSD-only, probable ED-only, probable BSD-ED comorbid, and control groups. Results: Totally, 56 students were identified as probable BSD (5.2%), 61 as probable ED (5.7%), and 8 as probable BSD-ED cases (14.3% of BSD; 13.1% of ED). Screen-positive groups showed significantly higher levels of all affective temperaments than controls (p < 0.001). Cyclothymic temperament demonstrated the largest effect size in both probable BSD and probable ED groups. But no difference in hyperthymic temperament was observed between the probable ED-only group and controls. The probable comorbid group did not show significantly higher affective temperament scores than either single-disorder group. Conclusion: Probable BSD and probable ED share elevated cyclothymic, depressive, irritable, hyperthymic, and anxious temperaments. These findings should be interpreted cautiously given the screening-based identification and the very small comorbid sample size.
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BibTeX
@article{yenhsiuliu2026affective,
title = {{Affective Temperaments in College Students with Probable Bipolar Spectrum Disorder, Probable Eating Disorders, and Their Comorbidity}},
author = {Yen-Hsiu Liu, B.A. and Mei-Chih Meg Tseng, M.D., Ph.D.},
journal = {Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/tpsy.tpsy_26_26},
url = {https://doi.org/10.4103/tpsy.tpsy_26_26},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Affective Temperaments in College Students with Probable Bipolar Spectrum Disorder, Probable Eating Disorders, and Their Comorbidity
AU - Yen-Hsiu Liu, B.A.
AU - Mei-Chih Meg Tseng, M.D., Ph.D.
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry
DO - 10.4103/tpsy.tpsy_26_26
UR - https://doi.org/10.4103/tpsy.tpsy_26_26
AB - Objectives: We intended to identify shared and distinct features of affective temperament in college students with probable bipolar spectrum disorder (BSD) and probable eating disorder (ED) and to explore how these temperaments are related to probable BSD-ED comorbidity. Methods: Totally, 1,077 college students completed self-administered measures, including copies of screening questionnaire for BSD and ED and the short version of the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego – Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). Individuals with probable BSD and probable ED were identified using the Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale and Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale, respectively. Affective temperament scores of probable BSD and probable ED groups were compared with their respective matched controls (1: 4 ratio). Comparisons were also done across the probable BSD-only, probable ED-only, probable BSD-ED comorbid, and control groups. Results: Totally, 56 students were identified as probable BSD (5.2%), 61 as probable ED (5.7%), and 8 as probable BSD-ED cases (14.3% of BSD; 13.1% of ED). Screen-positive groups showed significantly higher levels of all affective temperaments than controls (p < 0.001). Cyclothymic temperament demonstrated the largest effect size in both probable BSD and probable ED groups. But no difference in hyperthymic temperament was observed between the probable ED-only group and controls. The probable comorbid group did not show significantly higher affective temperament scores than either single-disorder group. Conclusion: Probable BSD and probable ED share elevated cyclothymic, depressive, irritable, hyperthymic, and anxious temperaments. These findings should be interpreted cautiously given the screening-based identification and the very small comorbid sample size.
SN - 1028-3684
SN - 2666-2078
ER -