Mania risk and creativity: A multi-method study of the role of motivation

BackgroundSubstantial literature has linked bipolar disorder and risk for bipolar disorder with creative accomplishment, but few multimodal studies of creativity are available, and little is known about mechanisms.MethodsWe use a multi-method approach to test the association of bipolar risk with several creativity measures, including creative accomplishments, creative personality traits, and a laboratory index of insight. We also examined whether multiple facets of motivation accounted for the links of bipolar risk with creativity. Among 297 undergraduates, mania risk, as measured with the Hypomanic Personality Scale was related to lifetime creativity and creative personality, but not to performance on the insight task. Motivational traits appeared to mediate the links of mania risk with both lifetime creative accomplishments and self-rated creativity.LimitationsThe study relied on a cross-sectional design and a convenience sample.ConclusionsFuture studies would benefit from exploring motivation as a positive aspect of manic vulnerability that may foster greater creativity.