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Published on: February 1, 2012
Hypomania, anxiety and the emotional Stroop
C C French1, A Richards, E J Scholfield
1Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths' College, University of London, New Cross, UK.
The British Journal of Clinical Psychology
|November 1, 1996
Summary
High hypomania scores correlate with depression word interference, even when anxiety is controlled. This suggests hypomania may be a coping mechanism for depressive tendencies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Bentall & Thompson (1990) observed emotional Stroop effects in high hypomania participants.
- These effects were attributed to hypomania, specifically interference with depression-related words.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if anxiety, rather than hypomania, mediates the observed Stroop effects.
- To re-evaluate the relationship between hypomania, anxiety, and cognitive biases.
Main Methods:
- Replication of Bentall & Thompson's (1990) study design.
- Inclusion of state and trait anxiety measures alongside the Hypomanic Personality Scale.
- Emotional Stroop task with depression- and euphoria-related word stimuli.
Main Results:
- Findings mirrored Bentall & Thompson's (1990) when participants were subgrouped by hypomania scores.
- Hypomania-related interference effects persisted even after accounting for anxiety levels.
- Analysis of the full sample suggested hypomanic personality may be a coping strategy for depression.
Conclusions:
- The cognitive effects observed in high hypomania are not solely mediated by anxiety.
- Hypomanic personality traits may serve as a partial coping mechanism for underlying depressive tendencies.
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