Experience-Sampling Approach to Emotion Differentiation and Bipolar Mood Risk in Emerging Adults

Abstract

Despite the prominence of emotion disturbance in bipolar disorder, few studies have assessed emotion differentiation. The present investigation used an experience-sampling approach to test the utility of emotion differentiation in predicting bipolar mood-related difficulties. Across two studies, emerging adults participated during a normative first year of college (Spring 2019; Study 1; n = 136) or during their first year of college marked by a naturalistic global pandemic stressor, which may have provided a context for amplified emotional experiences (Spring 2020; Study 2; n = 136). Results suggested that lower global emotion differentiation was associated with increased trait bipolar risk in Study 2, but not in Study 1. Secondary analyses in Study 1 suggested that greater positive emotion differentiation was associated with increased mania symptom severity. Taken together, results suggest that emerging adults at higher risk for bipolar disorder had more difficulty differentiating emotions in their daily life compared to those at lower risk during—but not before—the COVID-19 pandemic. These results highlight the importance of context when examining emotion processes and dimensions of mood disorder risk. This initial work could improve early risk identification for bipolar disorder and may have important treatment implications.