Temporal Dynamics of Affect, Smartphone Use, and Physical Activity in Individuals at Risk for Mood Disorders

This study examined bidirectional relationshps between affect and daily life behaviors in adults with and without familial risk for mood disorders. Offspring of parents with bipolar disorder (n=82) and control participants (n=46) completed a 14-day experience sampling protocol measuring positive (PA) and negative affect (NA) five times a day, with passive sensing of physical activity and smartphone use (n=128, Mage=37.8, 57% female). Using Dyamic Structural Equation Modeling, we found a credible bidirectional relationship between phsycial activity and PA. Greater PA predicted decreased smartphone use, while increased smartphone use was followed by increased NA. Familial risk and recurrent mood disorder history were not associated with the within-person dynamics, but both groups showed lower PA and higher NA on average. These findings emphasize the relevance of PA in daily affect-behavior dynamics and encourage targeted interventions that aim to enhance PA for individuals at risk for mental health problems.