Factor structure of manic symptoms

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to identify the factor structure of manic symptoms as assessed by the Scale for Manic States (SMS). Method: The pattern of symptoms in a group of 225 adults with an ICD-10-DCR diagnosis of manic episode was studied. A factor analysis was conducted of the broad range of psychiatric symptoms covered by SMS. A principal component analysis followed by oblimin rotation was performed. Results: Six eigenvalues were greater than unity and parallel analysis indicated four factors. After observing the scree plot a f ve-factor solution seemed appropriate. Nevertheless, a six-factor solution was chosen that described the data appropriately and was clinically relevant. The six factors (psychosis, irritability aggression, dysphoria, accelerated thought stream, hedonia, and hyperactivity) captured 59.29% of the total variance. Conclusion: A six-factor solution explains the clinical dimensions of mania in the present sample and dysphoria appeared as a separate factor.