The semi-structured interview for bipolar at-risk states (SIBARS): psychometric properties and validation
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Established psychometric instruments to detect individuals at high-risk of bipolar disorders (BD) are essential to advance preventive approaches.
Methods
The Semi-structured Interview for Bipolar At-Risk States (SIBARS)’s psychometric properties were evaluated through: (i) dimensionality (confirmatory factor analysis, CFA); (ii) reliability (internal/inter-rater reliability); and (iii) validity in terms of convergent validity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, HAM-D, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, MINI; Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire, TEMPS-A; Young Mania Rating Scale, YMRS), divergent validity (Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States, CAARMS; Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, HAM-A), concurrent criterion validity (Bipolar Prodrome Symptom Interview and Scale–Abbreviated Screen for Patients, BPSS-AS-P).
Results
A total of 193 participants were included. The CFA for depression plus mania showed excellent data fit (Root Mean Square Error Approximation = 0.02). Internal (Cronbach's α = 0.90; McDonald's ω = 0.96) and inter-rater (Intra-class Correlation Coefficient = 0.97) reliability were excellent. Convergent validity was confirmed by moderate-to-strong associations between the SIBARS mania scale and the YMRS (β = 0.49, p < 0.001), the SIBARS depression scale and the HAM-D (β = 0.54, p < 0.001), and the SIBARS cyclothymic temperament scale and the TEMPS-A (β = 0.69 p < 0.001). Divergent validity was evidenced by very weak associations between SIBARS and CAARMS' outcomes (χ2 = 4.14, p = 0.042, phi = 0.15) or the HAM-A (r = 0.16, p = 0.025). Concurrent validity was indexed by a significant association of SIBARS' researcher-based ratings and BPSS-AS-P participant-based ratings (r = 0.23, p = 0.001).
Conclusions
There is convincing psychometric evidence supporting the SIBARS as a reliable and valid instrument for detecting individuals at clinical high-risk of BD. The cross-sectional design of the study, however, did not allow to test the SIBARS' predictive validity.
Established psychometric instruments to detect individuals at high-risk of bipolar disorders (BD) are essential to advance preventive approaches.
Methods
The Semi-structured Interview for Bipolar At-Risk States (SIBARS)’s psychometric properties were evaluated through: (i) dimensionality (confirmatory factor analysis, CFA); (ii) reliability (internal/inter-rater reliability); and (iii) validity in terms of convergent validity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, HAM-D, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, MINI; Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire, TEMPS-A; Young Mania Rating Scale, YMRS), divergent validity (Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States, CAARMS; Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, HAM-A), concurrent criterion validity (Bipolar Prodrome Symptom Interview and Scale–Abbreviated Screen for Patients, BPSS-AS-P).
Results
A total of 193 participants were included. The CFA for depression plus mania showed excellent data fit (Root Mean Square Error Approximation = 0.02). Internal (Cronbach's α = 0.90; McDonald's ω = 0.96) and inter-rater (Intra-class Correlation Coefficient = 0.97) reliability were excellent. Convergent validity was confirmed by moderate-to-strong associations between the SIBARS mania scale and the YMRS (β = 0.49, p < 0.001), the SIBARS depression scale and the HAM-D (β = 0.54, p < 0.001), and the SIBARS cyclothymic temperament scale and the TEMPS-A (β = 0.69 p < 0.001). Divergent validity was evidenced by very weak associations between SIBARS and CAARMS' outcomes (χ2 = 4.14, p = 0.042, phi = 0.15) or the HAM-A (r = 0.16, p = 0.025). Concurrent validity was indexed by a significant association of SIBARS' researcher-based ratings and BPSS-AS-P participant-based ratings (r = 0.23, p = 0.001).
Conclusions
There is convincing psychometric evidence supporting the SIBARS as a reliable and valid instrument for detecting individuals at clinical high-risk of BD. The cross-sectional design of the study, however, did not allow to test the SIBARS' predictive validity.
Date Issued
2025-10-15
Date Acceptance
2025-05-26
Citation
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2025, 387
ISSN
0165-0327
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Affective Disorders
Volume
387
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
10.1016/j.jad.2025.119529
Subjects
Humans
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Reproducibility of Results
Bipolar Disorder
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Interview, Psychological
Psychometrics
Adult
Middle Aged
Female
Male
Young Adult
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
119529
Date Publish Online
2025-05-27