1 research outputs found
Hypomania: a transcultural perspective
This study examined the transcultural robustness of a screening instrument
for hypomania, the Hypomania Checklist-32, first revised version (HCL-32 R1).
It was carried out in 2606 patients from twelve countries in five geographic
regions (Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe, South America and East Asia).
In addition, GAMIAN Europe contributed data from its members. Exploratory
and confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the transregional stability
of the measurement properties of the HCL-32 R1, including the influence of
sex and age as covariates. Across cultures, a two-factor structure was confirmed:
the first factor (F1) reflected the more positive aspects of hypomania (being
more active, elated, self-confident, and cogni-tively enhanced); the second
factor (F2) reflected the more negative aspects (being irritable, impulsive,
careless, more substance use). The measurement properties of the HCL-32 R1
were largely invariant across cultures. Only few items showed transcultural
differences in their relation to hypomania as measured by the test. F2 was
higher among men and in more severe manic syndromes; F1 was highest in North
and East Europe and lowest in South America. The scores decreased slightly
with age. The frequency of the 32 items showed remarkable similarities across
geographic areas, with two excep-tions: South Europeans had lower symptom
frequencies in general and East Europeans higher rates of substance use. These
findings support the interna-tional applicability of the HCL-32 R1 as a screening
instrument for hypomania