Implication of affective traits in bipolar vulnerability: A study of university students

Résumé

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 1 st to March 5 th , 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

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