An ecological momentary assessment study of mood state and working memory capacity in college students who experience frequent mood fluctuations

Abstract

Manic, hypomanic, and depressed mood states have been shown to be associated with significant impairments in working memory capacity. Previous studies on mood state and working memory capacity have included only participants formally diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. No study has examined this relationship in persons who experience fluctuations in mood state but do not meet diagnostic criteria for a bipolar disorder. Nor have previous studies examined the relationship between mood state and working memory capacity in college students, where working memory capacity may be particularly important to academic performance. In addition, few studies of these variables have been conducted in the participants' daily lives, rather than in laboratory settings. The goal of this study was to examine the relationships between mood state and working memory capacity in the daily lives of college students who experience frequent fluctuations in mood state. Four female and three male participants completed multiple daily mood state ratings and tests of working memory capacity using an ecological momentary assessment task. Significant relationships were observed between concurrent measures of mood state and working memory capacity for three out of seven participants. A significant relationship was also observed between time-lagged measures of mood state and working memory capacity for one out of seven participants. Finally, no relationship was observed between time-lagged measures of working memory capacity and mood state. Inferences regarding mood state and working memory capacity in college students with frequent mood fluctuations and the advantages of utilizing time-series methodology to examine mood states were discussed.