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Greene T, Contractor AA, Dicker-Oren SD, Fentem A, Sznitman SR. The Effects of the Processing of Positive Memories Technique on Posttrauma Affect and Cognitions Among Survivors of Trauma: Protocol for a Daily Diary Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e51838. [PMID: 38214953 PMCID: PMC10818235 DOI: 10.2196/51838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) is a promising new treatment approach for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which involves detailed narration and processing of specific positive autobiographical memories. Indeed, preliminary case-series studies have found reductions in PTSD symptoms, negative affect, and negative cognitions among survivors of trauma who have received PPMT. However, PPMT's effects have not been investigated at the daily level. In this study, we describe the protocol for a study that will examine the daily-level impacts of PPMT in a trauma-exposed, nonclinical community sample. OBJECTIVE This study uses an innovative research protocol that combines case-series design and daily diary approaches to examine changes in daily affect, daily cognitions, and daily PTSD symptoms pre- and post-PPMT. We hypothesize that at the daily level, in comparison to their own pre-PPMT levels, following the PPMT intervention, participants will report (1) a lower count of endorsed daily PTSD symptoms, (2) increases in daily positive affect and decreases in daily negative affect, (3) increases in positive affect reactivity to daily positive events, and (4) decreases in daily posttrauma cognitions. METHODS We are currently recruiting participants (target n=70) from a metroplex in the southwest United States. Following a screening survey, eligible participants complete a preintervention baseline survey, followed by 21 daily surveys in their natural environments. Then, they receive 4 PPMT sessions on a weekly basis. After the conclusion of the PPMT intervention, participants complete a postintervention outcome survey and 21 daily surveys. To compare daily affect, daily cognitions, and daily PTSD symptoms before and after PPMT, we will use the daily diary report data and conduct multilevel random intercepts and slopes linear regression models. RESULTS Data collection was initiated in March 2022 and is expected to end by June 2024. As of November 28, 2023, a total of 515 participants had consented to the study in the screening phase. No analyses will be conducted until data collection has been completed. CONCLUSIONS Study findings could clarify whether deficits in positive autobiographical memory processes may also characterize PTSD alongside deficits in traumatic memory processes. Furthermore, PPMT could be an additional therapeutic tool for clinicians to help clients reduce posttraumatic distress in their everyday lives. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/51838.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talya Greene
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ateka A Contractor
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | | | - Andrea Fentem
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
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Contractor AA, Messman B, Gould P, Slavish DC, Weiss NH. Impacts of repeated retrieval of positive and neutral memories on posttrauma health: An investigative pilot study. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2023; 81:101887. [PMID: 37343425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Evidence indicates that positive memory processes play a role in the etiology and maintenance of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and related posttrauma health indicators. To extend this research, the current pilot study examined if repeated retrieval of positive vs. neutral memories was associated with (1) less PTSS and depression severity; and (2) improved affect and cognitions (fewer posttrauma cognitions, more positively-valenced affect, less negatively-valenced affect, less negative affect interference, less anhedonia, retrieval of more positive specific memories, retrieval of fewer negative specific memories). METHODS Twenty-five trauma-exposed participants were randomly assigned to a positive or neutral memory task condition. They participated in four weekly experimental sessions facilitated by an experimenter virtually; each consecutive session was separated by 6-8 days. We conducted mixed between-within subjects ANOVAs to examine study hypotheses. RESULTS No interaction effects were significant. There were significant main effects of time on PTSS and depression severity, posttrauma cognitions, positively-valenced and negatively-valenced affect, and negative affect interference. LIMITATIONS We used self-report measures, small and non-clinical sample with limited demographic diversity, and virtual format; did not record memory narratives; and did not have a trauma memory condition. CONCLUSIONS Based on pilot data, our findings suggest that individuals who retrieve positive or neutral memories repeatedly may report less PTSS and depression severity, fewer posttrauma cognitions, and improved affect. Results provide an impetus to examine impacts of and mechanisms underlying memory interventions (beyond a sole focus on negatively-valenced memories) in trauma work.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brett Messman
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Preston Gould
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Danica C Slavish
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Nicole H Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, RI, USA
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Compton SE, Slavish DC, Weiss NH, Bowen HJ, Contractor AA. Associations between positive memory count and hazardous substance use in a trauma-exposed sample: Examining the moderating role of emotion dysregulation. J Clin Psychol 2023; 79:1480-1508. [PMID: 36861379 PMCID: PMC10182872 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Research has demonstrated links between autobiographical memory retrieval and hazardous substance use. However, limited work has examined relations between positive autobiographical memories and hazardous substance use, as well as moderating factors influencing these relations. Thus, we examined the potential moderating roles of negative and positive emotion dysregulation in the relations between count of retrieved positive memories and hazardous substance use (alcohol and drug use separately). METHODS Participants were 333 trauma-exposed students (Mage = 21.05; 85.9% women) who completed self-report measures assessing positive memory count, hazardous alcohol and drug use, negative emotion dysregulation, and positive emotion dysregulation. RESULTS Positive emotion dysregulation significantly moderated the association between positive memory count and hazardous alcohol use (b = 0.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.01, 0.06], p = 0.019), as well as the association between positive memory count and hazardous drug use (b = 0.02, 95% CI [0.01, 0.03], p = 0.002). Individuals with more positive emotion dysregulation had stronger associations between increases in positive memory count and increased hazardous substance use. CONCLUSION Findings indicate that trauma-exposed individuals who retrieve more positive memories and experience difficulties regulating positive emotions report greater hazardous substance use. Positive emotion dysregulation may be an important target for memory-based interventions among trauma-exposed individuals who report hazardous substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danica C. Slavish
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Nicole H. Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Holly J. Bowen
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Differential Effect of Emotional Stimuli on Performance on Verbal and Facial Priming Tasks and Their Relation to PTSD Symptoms in Girls with Intrafamiliar Sexual Abuse. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-022-10313-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Alaftar İ, Uzer T. Understanding intergenerational transmission of early maladaptive schemas from a memory perspective: Moderating role of overgeneral memory on adverse experiences. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 127:105539. [PMID: 35151211 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies demonstrated that early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are transmitted from mothers to children through adverse childhood experiences, such as maltreatment and unfulfilled core needs. The traumatic memory literature demonstrated that people with a history of trauma recall their traumatic and/or other negative experiences as categories of events-a phenomenon called overgeneral autobiographical memory (OGM)-to avoid the accompanying intense negative feelings. In the long run, OGM originating from an affect-regulation process after childhood traumatic experiences can facilitate the development of EMSs in children. OBJECTIVE This study expands the previous literature by studying whether OGM facilitates the transmission of EMSs by strengthening maladaptive thinking patterns after traumatic experiences. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS A total of 120 mothers and late adolescents participated in this study. The mothers filled out the forms online through a link sent to their e-mail addresses, and the adolescents completed the forms online through a link posted on social media. METHOD Late adolescents completed the Autobiographical Memory Recall Task, Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form-3 (YSQ-SF3), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Mothers filled out the YSQ-SF3 and BDI. RESULTS The results confirmed that adverse childhood experiences significantly mediated the relationship between mothers' and children's disconnection and rejection schemas. Furthermore, this relationship was stronger, especially for children with a higher tendency of overgeneral retrieval of negative experience (β = 0.26 (0.10), 95% CI [0.09, 0.49]). CONCLUSIONS The present study provides evidence that OGM facilitates the transmission of early maladaptive schemas.
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Affiliation(s)
- İdil Alaftar
- TED University, Psychology Department, Ziya Gokalp Blv. No. 48, 06420 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Uzer
- TED University, Psychology Department, Ziya Gokalp Blv. No. 48, 06420 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey.
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Contractor AA, Banducci AN, Jin L. The Relationship between Positive Memory Phenomenology and Alcohol Use among Trauma-Exposed Individuals. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:929-939. [PMID: 35345976 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2052099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence links positive memory characteristics and hazardous alcohol use (HAU). Relevant to the current study, evidence also indicates that trauma-exposed individuals, especially those with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, report difficulties retrieving/accessing positive memories and report HAU. OBJECTIVE Considering this literature, we uniquely examined if and which positive memory characteristics were associated with HAU, and the potential mediating role of PTSD symptom severity in the examined relations. METHODS A sample of 126 trauma-exposed community participants seeking mental health treatment (Mage=34.97 years) completed measures of HAU (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), positive memory characteristics (Memory Experiences Questionnaire-Short Form [MEQ-SF]), and PTSD severity (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5). We conducted 8 hierarchical multiple regressions; Step 1 examined effects of gender and Step 2 added a single MEQ-SF dimension (specificity, valence, emotional intensity, sensory details, vividness, accessibility, coherence, sharing). RESULTS In Steps 1 (β=.27) and 2 (βs from .27-.28), gender was associated with HAU. In Step 2, positive memory characteristics of specificity (β=.17), sensory details (β=.17), sharing (β=.23), and valence (β=-.19) were associated with greater HAU. PTSD severity mediated relations between sensory details (β=.09, p=.048), emotional intensity (β=.12, p=.011), and sharing (β=.09, p=.036), and the extent of HAU. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Results that specificity, greater sharing, more sensory details, and higher negative valence of positive memories were associated with greater HAU offer potential points of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne N Banducci
- The National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ling Jin
- Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Contractor AA, Slavish DC, Weiss NH, Alghraibeh AM, Alafnan AA, Taylor DJ. Moderating effects of sleep difficulties on relations between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and positive memory count. J Clin Psychol 2021; 77:2057-2076. [PMID: 33871878 PMCID: PMC8405540 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity relates to positive memory retrieval difficulties. One variable potentially influencing this relation is sleep difficulties. We examined moderating effects of sleep difficulties (duration and quality) on relations between PTSD severity and count of specific positive memories covarying for age, gender, and depression. METHODS Participants were an Amazon Mechanical Turk-recruited trauma-exposed community sample of 205 respondents (M age = 35.44; 61.40% women). RESULTS Moderated regression analyses indicated significant interaction effects between sleep quality (b = 0.03; p = 0.036) and PTSD severity on specific positive memory count. Among individuals reporting better sleep quality, there were negative associations between PTSD severity and specific positive memory count (b = -0.04, SE = 0.02, p = 0.010). Similar results were obtained for PTSD's intrusion and arousal clusters. CONCLUSION Results support targeting sleep quality and PTSD severity to improve positive memory retrieval in PTSD and memory interventions, and the importance of considering sleep when examining links between PTSD and positive memory retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danica C Slavish
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Nicole H Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ahmad M Alghraibeh
- Department of Psychology, College of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali A Alafnan
- Department of Psychology, College of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniel J Taylor
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Hakamata Y, Mizukami S, Izawa S, Moriguchi Y, Hori H, Matsumoto N, Hanakawa T, Inoue Y, Tagaya H. Childhood trauma affects autobiographical memory deficits through basal cortisol and prefrontal-extrastriate functional connectivity. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 127:105172. [PMID: 33831650 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological trauma can damage the brain, especially in areas where glucocorticoid receptors are expressed, via perturbed secretion of cortisol. Childhood trauma is associated with blunted basal cortisol secretion, brain alterations, and autobiographical memory deficits referred to as overgeneral autobiographical memory (OGM). However, it remains unknown whether childhood trauma affects OGM through altered cortisol and brain alterations. METHODS Using resting-state fMRI in 100 healthy humans, we examined whether childhood trauma affects OGM through its related basal cortisol and brain functional connectivity (FC). Trauma and OGM were assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT), respectively. Basal cortisol levels were measured by 10 points-in-time across two days. Multiple mediation analysis was employed. RESULTS CTQ was associated with greater semantic-associate memory of OGM, a retrieval tendency toward semantic content with no specific contextual details of an experienced event, as well as blunted basal cortisol levels. While CTQ was correlated with decreased FC between the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), it showed a more predominant correlation with increased FC between the lateral and anteromedial PFC and extrastriate cortex. Importantly, the increased prefrontal-extrastriate FC completely mediated the relationship between CTQ and semantic-associate memory, affected by hyposecretion of cortisol. CONCLUSION Childhood trauma may lead to the lack of visuoperceptual contextual details in autobiographical memory by altering basal cortisol secretion and connectivity of the prefrontal-hippocampal-extrastriate regions. The intensified prefrontal-extrastriate connectivity may contribute to OGM formation by strengthening the semantic content in memory retrieval. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the trauma-cortisol-brain-memory link will provide important clinical implications for trauma-related mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Hakamata
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan; Department of Health Science, Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences, Japan; Department of Clinical Psychology, International University of Health and Welfare, Japan.
| | - Shinya Mizukami
- Department of Radiological Technology, Kitasato University School of Health Sciences, Japan
| | - Shuhei Izawa
- Occupational Stress and Health Management Research Group, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Moriguchi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Hori
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan
| | | | - Takashi Hanakawa
- Integrative Brain Imaging Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan; Department of Integrated Neuroanatomy and Neuroimaging, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Yusuke Inoue
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hirokuni Tagaya
- Department of Health Science, Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences, Japan
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Contractor AA, Weiss NH, Forkus SR. Moderating effects of dysregulation and fear of positive emotions on the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and positive memory count. J Clin Psychol 2021; 77:701-721. [PMID: 32844395 PMCID: PMC7878328 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined moderating effects of positive emotion dysregulation and fear of positive emotions in the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity and positive memory count. METHOD Participants were 205 trauma-exposed community individuals (Mage = 35.44; 61.50% female). RESULTS Moderation analyses indicated interaction effects of PTSD severity with nonacceptance of positive emotions (b = -0.01, p = .002) and difficulties with goal-directed behaviors when experiencing positive emotions (b = -0.01, p = .006) on positive memory count. CONCLUSIONS Greater PTSD severity was associated with more specific positive memories when individuals reported less nonacceptance of positive emotions and fewer difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviors in the context of positive emotions. Greater PTSD severity was associated with fewer specific positive memories when individuals reported greater nonacceptance of positive emotions and greater difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviors in the context of positive emotions. Results support addressing positive emotion dysregulation in memory-focused interventions for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole H. Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, RI, USA
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Contractor AA, Kearns NT, Weiss NH, Blumenthal H. Examining relations of polytraumatization typologies with positive memory count and phenomenology. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2021; 34:107-120. [PMID: 32686501 PMCID: PMC7769926 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2020.1795644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Most individuals experience multiple potentially traumatizing events (PTEs); hence, it is important to consider count and types of PTEs (polytraumatization) in relation to post-trauma health. Notably, no research has examined polytraumatization typologies in relation to positive memory count and phenomenology. We examined (1) latent subgroupings of individuals based on PTE endorsements; and (2) relation of the optimal latent class solution to positive memory count and phenomenology. Design: Participants were 203 trauma-exposed adults (Mage = 35.40; 61.10% females); we used PTEs endorsed on the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 as indicators for analyses. Results: Latent class analyses indicated a three-class solution differing in quantity and quality of PTE types: Low Experience, Predominant Interpersonal PTEs, and Predominant Non-Interpersonal PTEs. Further, more positive memories predicted membership in the Low Experience vs. other classes; greater sensory details of a positive memory predicted membership in the Low Experience vs. the Predominant Interpersonal PTEs Classes; and greater accessibility of a positive memory predicted membership in the Predominant Interpersonal PTEs vs. the Predominant Non-Interpersonal PTEs Classes. Conclusions: Results indicated three meaningful subgroups endorsing differing levels/types of PTEs; count, sensory details, and accessibility of positive memories, pending further investigation, may differentiate these subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathan T Kearns
- Department of Behavioral & Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nicole H Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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Dolan M, Contractor AA, Ryals AJ, Weiss NH. Trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder severity, and positive memories. Memory 2020; 28:998-1013. [PMID: 32840463 PMCID: PMC7510933 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2020.1809679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Positive memories play an important role in the aetiology and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, most trauma research/clinical work has focused solely on the role of traumatic memories. Thus, we examined the relationship between count of retrieved positive memories and PTSD severity, factors associated with count of retrieved positive memories (i.e., rumination, negative/positive emotion dysregulation, fear of positive emotions), and the relationship between positive memory phenomenological domains and PTSD severity. The sample included 185 trauma-exposed participants recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk (Mage = 35.69 years; 63.80% female). Results of linear/hierarchical regressions showed that (1) PTSD severity did not predict count of (specific) positive memories; (2) greater positive emotion dysregulation predicted fewer retrieved positive memories controlling for PTSD severity; and (3) greater PTSD severity predicted more negative valence, less vividness, less coherence, less accessibility, less clear time perspective, fewer sensory details, and greater distancing ratings of the retrieved positive memory, controlling for sleep quantity/quality. Findings add to the literature by informing PTSD theoretical perspectives; enhancing an understanding of positive memories in PTSD/trauma treatments; and highlighting potential clinical targets (e.g., positive emotion regulation), when integrating a focus on positive memories into PTSD intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Dolan
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | | | - Anthony J. Ryals
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Nicole H. Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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Impact of early life adversities on human brain functioning: A coordinate-based meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:62-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Castellon P, Sudres JL, Voltzenlogel V. Self-defining memories in female patients with anorexia nervosa. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2020; 28:513-524. [PMID: 32363663 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Overgeneral autobiographical memory (AM) was reported in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) using AM cueing tasks that did not directly indexes memories that are personally important to the individual, that is, self-defining memories (SDMs). The aim of this study is to investigate characteristics of SDMs in females with AN. METHOD A total of 46 outpatients with chronic AN and 52 healthy controls (HC) were asked to recall three SDMs. RESULTS Compared to HC, patients with AN presented less specific SDMs, but have preserved ability to give meaning to their memories. Patients' SDMs were associated with more negative emotions, more tension (i.e. explicit expression of discomfort, disagreement or unease) and more contamination (i.e. transformation in the memory narrative from a positive to a negative affective state). Content of SDMs differed between patients with AN and HC. Finally, no difference was found in SDMs characteristics between the two subtypes of anorexia nervosa (restricting type and binge eating / purging type). DISCUSSION Patients with AN recalled overgeneral SDMs with negative content and emotions. In this context, a clinical intervention based on SDMs together with cognitive and emotional remedial therapies could help patients with AN to improve emotion processing and redefine their identity in a more positive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascaline Castellon
- CERPPS, EA 7411, Department of Psychology, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Luc Sudres
- CERPPS, EA 7411, Department of Psychology, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Castelviel Psychiatric Clinic, CLINEA, Castelmaurou, France
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Contractor AA, Greene T, Dolan M, Weiss NH, Armour C. Relation between PTSD symptom clusters and positive memory characteristics: A network perspective. J Anxiety Disord 2020; 69:102157. [PMID: 31751918 PMCID: PMC6960352 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2019.102157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Positive memory characteristics relate to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity. We utilized a network approach to examine relations between PTSD clusters (intrusions, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood [NACM], alterations in arousal and reactivity [AAR]) and positive memory characteristics (count, accessibility, valence, vividness, coherence, time perspective, sensory details). We identified differential relations between PTSD clusters and positive memory characteristics, and central/bridging symptoms. Participants were an Amazon Mechanical Turk-recruited sample of 206 individuals (Mage = 35.36; 61.20% females). We estimated a regularized Gaussian Graphic Model comprising four nodes representing the PTSD clusters and six nodes representing positive memory characteristics. Regarding cross-community relations, AAR (highest node strength) was negatively associated with positive memory count, valence, coherence, and accessibility; avoidance was positively and negatively associated with positive memory vividness and count respectively. The NACM-AAR and intrusion-avoidance edges were significantly stronger than most edges. From the PTSD community, AAR and avoidance had the highest bridge strength and bridge expected influence respectively; from the positive memory community, coherence and vividness had the highest bridge strength and bridge expected influence respectively. Results indicate the potential pivotal role of AAR, avoidance, coherence, and vividness in the PTSD-positive memory relation, which renders them assessment/treatment targets pending further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Talya Greene
- Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Israel
| | - Megan Dolan
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Nicole H. Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, RI, TX, USA
| | - Cherie Armour
- School of Psychology, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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Barry TJ, Takano K, Boddez Y, Raes F. Lower Sleep Duration Is Associated With Reduced Autobiographical Memory Specificity. Behav Sleep Med 2019; 17:586-594. [PMID: 29424553 DOI: 10.1080/15402002.2018.1435542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective/Background: Sleep can have an important influence on memory. However, it is unclear whether there is any relation between sleep quality and the specificity with which autobiographical memories are retrieved, a key factor associated with vulnerability for, and the presence of, depression and other psychiatric diagnoses. The present study provides the first investigation of the association between sleep quality and autobiographical memory specificity. Participants and Method: Fifty-four unselected community participants completed the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) to assess memory specificity, while subjective and objective measures of total sleep time and sleep onset latency were provided through a daily diary and an actigraphy wristwatch worn for a week. Participants also completed questionnaires that measure known correlates of AMT specificity: the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Results: Shorter sleep duration, measured using actigraphy, was associated with reduced autobiographical memory specificity. There was no evidence of an association between total sleep time recorded by self-report diaries, or of sleep onset latency recorded using actigraphy or diaries and memory specificity. The relation between actigraphy-assessed total sleep time and memory specificity was independent of the effects of rumination or depressive symptoms on these variables. Conclusions: Shorter sleep duration is associated with reduced memory specificity. Future research examining memory specificity and its association with psychopathology should consider the role of sleep quality around the time of memory recall in specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom J Barry
- a Experimental Psychopathology Lab, Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.,b Department of Psychology, The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Keisuke Takano
- c Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich , Munich , Germany
| | - Yannick Boddez
- d Centre for Learning Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
| | - Filip Raes
- d Centre for Learning Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
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Contractor AA, Banducci AN, Dolan M, Keegan F, Weiss NH. Relation of positive memory recall count and accessibility with post-trauma mental health. Memory 2019; 27:1130-1143. [PMID: 31189410 PMCID: PMC6643998 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2019.1628994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Positive memory encoding and retrieval deficits have an empirical relation with several post-trauma outcomes. Drawing from the Contractor et al. model, we examined relations between positive memory characteristics and post-trauma mental health indicators. A trauma-exposed community sample of 203 participants (Mage = 35.40 years; 61.10% female) was recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Participants completed measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; PTSD Checklist for DSM-5), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), posttraumatic cognitions (Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory), affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), count/number of recalled specific positive memories (Autobiographical Memory Test) and accessibility of a specific positive memory (i.e., subjective ease of recalling details of a memory; Memory Experiences Questionnaire-Short Form). Linear regression results indicated that PTSD intrusion severity, PTSD negative alterations in cognitions and mood (NACM) severity, PTSD alterations in arousal and reactivity (AAR) severity, self-blame, and positive affect significantly and negatively predicted the count of specific positive memories. Further, PTSD NACM severity, PTSD AAR severity, negative cognitions about the self, and negative affect significantly and negatively predicted accessibility of a specific positive memory. Thus, count/accessibility of specific positive memories was associated with several post-trauma mental health indicators; this highlights the relevance and potential impact of integrating positive memories into trauma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ateka A Contractor
- a Department of Psychology , University of North Texas , Denton , TX , USA
| | - Anne N Banducci
- b The National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA
- c Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Megan Dolan
- a Department of Psychology , University of North Texas , Denton , TX , USA
| | - Fallon Keegan
- a Department of Psychology , University of North Texas , Denton , TX , USA
| | - Nicole H Weiss
- d Department of Psychology , University of Rhode Island , Kingston , RI , USA
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Wang D, Lu S, Gao W, Wei Z, Duan J, Hu S, Huang M, Xu Y, Li L. The Impacts of Childhood Trauma on Psychosocial Features in a Chinese Sample of Young Adults. Psychiatry Investig 2018; 15:1046-1052. [PMID: 30380816 PMCID: PMC6258995 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2018.09.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aims of the present study were to explore the occurrence of childhood trauma and importantly to determine the impacts of childhood trauma on psychosocial features in a Chinese sample of young adults. METHODS A survey was carried out in a group of 555 university students by using Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Dysfunctional Attitudes Questionnaire (DAS), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). The moderate-severe cut-off scores for CTQ were used to calculate the prevalence of childhood trauma, and then psychosocial features were compared between individuals with and without childhood trauma. RESULTS A proportion of 18.6% of university students had self-reported childhood trauma exposures. Subjects with childhood trauma reported higher scores of SDS, SAS, DAS, and psychoticism and neuroticism dimensions of EPQ (t=4.311-5.551, p<0.001); while lower scores of SSRS and extraversion dimension of EPQ (t=-4.061- -3.039, p<0.01). Regression analyses further revealed that scores of SAS and DAS were positively (Adjusted B=0.211-0.230, p<0.05), while scores of SSRS were negatively (Adjusted B=-0.273- -0.240, p<0.05) associated with specific CTQ scores. CONCLUSION Childhood trauma is still a common social and psychological problem. Individuals with childhood trauma show much more depression, anxiety, distorted cognition, personality deficits, and lower levels of social support, which may represent the social and psychological vulnerability for developing psychiatric disorders after childhood trauma experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder's Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaojia Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder's Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weijia Gao
- Department of Child Psychology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoguo Wei
- Mental Health Institute of The Second Xiangya Hospital, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinfeng Duan
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder's Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaohua Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder's Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Manli Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder's Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder's Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lingjiang Li
- Mental Health Institute of The Second Xiangya Hospital, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Lawson M, Valentino K, Speidel R, McDonnell CG, Cummings EM. Reduced Autobiographical Memory Specificity Among Maltreated Preschoolers: The Indirect Effect of Neglect Through Maternal Reminiscing. Child Dev 2018; 91:271-288. [PMID: 30291743 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Maternal reminiscing and preschoolers' (M = 5.00 years, SD = 1.11) autobiographical memory specificity (AMS) were examined among abusive (n = 24), neglecting (n = 78), emotionally maltreating (n = 32), and demographically similar nonmaltreating families (n = 74). Neglect was negatively associated with child AMS and the quantity of maternal elaborations. In a moderated mediation model, neglect was negatively associated with the quantity of maternal elaborations, which was positively associated with AMS when mothers reminisced in a coherent and sensitive manner (i.e., affective quality). In the context of high maternal affective quality, maternal elaborative quantity accounted for reduced AMS among neglected preschoolers. The findings extend observations of reduced AMS to neglected preschoolers and inform theoretical models of autobiographical memory development.
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Contractor AA, Brown LA, Caldas SV, Banducci AN, Taylor DJ, Armour C, Shea MT. Posttraumatic stress disorder and positive memories: Clinical considerations. J Anxiety Disord 2018; 58:23-32. [PMID: 30025253 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Encoding and retrieval difficulties, and avoidance of both traumatic and positive memories, are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, most PTSD research and clinical work has solely examined the role of traumatic memories in the maintenance/resolution of PTSD symptoms. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the literature on positive memories and PTSD. First, we review theories and evidence on the relations between trauma, PTSD, and memory processes (particularly positive memories). Next, we propose a conceptual model that integrates evidence from experimental and positive/memory-based intervention research and highlights hypothesized mechanisms underlying the potential effectiveness of targeting positive memories in PTSD interventions. Specifically, we discuss how targeting positive memories could (1) increase positive affect and reduce negative affect, (2) correct negative cognitions, (3) increase specificity of retrieving autobiographical memories, and (4) be effectively integrated/sequenced with and enhance the effects of trauma-focused interventions. Lastly, we suggest clinical research avenues for investigating the relations between positive memories and PTSD, to possibly alter the current PTSD intervention paradigm focused only on traumatic memories. Overall, our proposed model drawing from experimental and intervention research, and outlining potential effects of targeting positive memories to reduce PTSD severity, needs further empirical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lily A Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel J Taylor
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Cherie Armour
- Institute of Mental Health Sciences, School of Psychology, Ulster University, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - M Tracie Shea
- Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, USA
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20
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Bunnell SL, Legerski JP, Herting NR. The autobiographical memory test: Differences in memory specificity across three recall elicitation methods. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-018-9930-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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21
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Barry TJ, Lenaert B, Hermans D, Raes F, Griffith JW. Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Autobiographical Memory Specificity and Exposure to Trauma. J Trauma Stress 2018. [PMID: 29513912 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive models of emotional disorders suggest that reduced autobiographical memory specificity that results from exposure to traumatic events may play an important role in the aetiology and maintenance of these disorders. However, there has yet to be a comprehensive meta-analysis of the association between trauma exposure and memory specificity, and the role of posttraumatic stress symptoms on this association. We searched PsycINFO and MEDLINE databases and extracted data from studies regarding the mean number or proportion of specific memories that participants with and without trauma exposure recalled on the Autobiographical Memory Test. We also extracted data on differences between groups in terms of posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, along with data on trauma timing and participants' ages at the time of assessment. The effect size of memory specificity between participants with and without exposure to trauma was large, d = 0.77, and differed significantly from zero, p < .001. In metaregression, trauma timing was a significant predictor of the heterogeneity in trauma-exposure specificity effect sizes, but posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms were not. Compromised memory specificity represents an important cognitive consequence of trauma exposure that might have an important influence on risk for, and maintenance of, subsequent emotional pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom J Barry
- Experimental Psychopathology Lab, Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bert Lenaert
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Netherlands
| | - Dirk Hermans
- Centre for Learning Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Filip Raes
- Centre for Learning Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - James W Griffith
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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22
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Abstract
A critical assumption of the CaR-FA-X model, that overgeneral memory is partly attributable to the "functional avoidance" of specific details about one's past experiences, has not been experimentally tested. Further, while it is assumed that the reinforcing properties of said avoidance leads to the emergence of an overgeneral recall style over time, this question has not been addressed developmentally. To explore these issues, two studies were conducted. In Study 1, 41 children and adolescents (Mage = 12 years) were randomly assigned to recall overgeneral or specific negative memories on the Autobiographical Memory Test; participants later listened to their memories and provided pre- and post-tests of their emotional states at four time points: before and after memory generation and before and after memory exposure. In Study 2, 52 college-aged participants (Mage = 19 years) completed the same protocol. Results indicated that children and adolescents in the overgeneral condition reported higher levels of positive affect relative to those in the specific condition, while recall condition did not impact adults' emotional states. These findings were not explained by differences in emotion regulation strategies or psychopathological symptoms. Implications for developmental models of autobiographical memory and emotion regulation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Bunnell
- a Department of Psychology , Ohio Wesleyan University , Delaware , OH , USA
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23
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Effects of Childhood Abuse on Overgeneral Autobiographical Memory in Current Major Depressive Disorder. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-016-9784-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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24
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Abstract
Several studies suggest that intrusive and overgeneral autobiographical memory are correlated. Thus, paradoxically, in some patients a hyperaccessibility of memory for one (series of) event(s) goes hand-in-hand with a scarcity of memories for other personal experiences. This clinical observation is reminiscent of the laboratory phenomenon of retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). This refers to the finding that repeatedly recalling some experimental stimuli impairs subsequent recall of related (i.e., tied to the same retrieval cue) stimuli. RIF of emotional autobiographical memories might provide an experimental model for the clinical memory phenomena in question. The present paper reports two experiments that explored the merits of applying the retrieval practice paradigm to relatively broad categories of autobiographical memories. Both studies found a significant RIF effect in that practised memories were recalled better than unrelated unpractised (baseline) memories. In addition, unpractised memories that were related to the practised memories were recalled more poorly than baseline memories. Implications of these findings for modelling the co-occurrence of intrusive and overgeneral memories are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrijs J A Hauer
- a University of Groningen , The Netherlands.,b University of Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Ineke Wessel
- a University of Groningen , The Netherlands.,b University of Maastricht , The Netherlands
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25
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Walsh K, Basu A, Monk C. The Role of Sexual Abuse and Dysfunctional Attitudes in Perceived Stress and Negative Mood in Pregnant Adolescents: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2015; 28:327-32. [PMID: 26130137 PMCID: PMC4490124 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2014.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Latinas have the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy in the United States. Identifying means to improve the well-being of these young women is critical. The current study examined whether a history of child sexual abuse-itself a risk factor for adolescent pregnancy-was associated with more perceived stress and negative mood over the course of pregnancy and whether dysfunctional attitudes explained these associations. DESIGN AND SETTING This mixed methods study involved laboratory-based assessments of perceived stress, sexual abuse history, and dysfunctional attitudes, as well as Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) of mood states every 30 minutes during a 24-hour period once during each trimester of pregnancy. PARTICIPANTS Pregnant adolescents (N = 204, 85% Latina). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES EMA mood states and laboratory-based retrospective self-reports of perceived stress. RESULTS One in 4 pregnant adolescents had a history of sexual abuse. Sexually abused adolescents reported greater perceived stress during the first trimester relative to those without, though the groups did not differ on EMA negative mood ratings. Dysfunctional attitudes explained associations between sexual abuse and perceived stress. Sexual abuse was indirectly associated with the intercept and slope of negative mood through dysfunctional attitudes. Findings were circumscribed to sexual abuse and not other types of child abuse. CONCLUSIONS Identifying sexually abused pregnant adolescents and providing support and cognitive therapy to target dysfunctional beliefs may decrease stress during the first trimester as well as negative affect throughout pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Walsh
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
| | - Archana Basu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Catherine Monk
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
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26
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Kyung Y, Yanes-Lukin P, Roberts JE. Specificity and detail in autobiographical memory: Same or different constructs? Memory 2015; 24:272-84. [DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2014.1002411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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27
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Bomba M, Marfone M, Brivio E, Oggiano S, Broggi F, Neri F, Nacinovich R. Autobiographical memory in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2014; 22:479-86. [PMID: 25267565 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to investigate deficits in autobiographical memory in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). METHODS Sixty female individuals with AN and 60 healthy volunteers with an age range of 11-18 years were enrolled. The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT), the Eating Disorder Inventory-3, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 for the evaluation of alexithymia and Children's Depression Inventory to evaluate depressive traits were administered. In addition to classical AMT words, we proposed seven experimental cues, chosen from words often used by individuals with eating disorders in daily life. RESULTS Girls with AN showed a massive overgeneral memory effect. This effect was not related to the presence of depression or alexithymia but increased with the duration of the disorder rather than with its severity. DISCUSSION The alteration of autobiographical memory manifests in adolescence. Girls with AN showed a dysregulation of both negative and positive emotional experiences that seemed to be influenced by the disease duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bomba
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy; Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
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28
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Crane C, Heron J, Gunnell D, Lewis G, Evans J, Williams JMG. Childhood traumatic events and adolescent overgeneral autobiographical memory: findings in a U.K. cohort. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2014; 45:330-8. [PMID: 24657714 PMCID: PMC4053588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overgeneral autobiographical memory has repeatedly been identified as a risk factor for adolescent and adult psychopathology but the factors that cause such over-generality remain unclear. This study examined the association between childhood exposure to traumatic events and early adolescent overgeneral autobiographical memory in a large population sample. METHODS Thirteen-year-olds, n = 5,792, participating in an ongoing longitudinal cohort study (ALSPAC) completed a written version of the Autobiographical Memory Test. Performance on this task was examined in relation to experience of traumatic events, using data recorded by caregivers close to the time of exposure. RESULTS Results indicated that experiencing a severe event in middle childhood increased the likelihood of an adolescent falling into the lowest quartile for autobiographical memory specificity (retrieving 0 or 1 specific memory) at age 13 by approximately 60%. The association persisted after controlling for a range of potential socio-demographic confounders. LIMITATIONS Data on the traumatic event exposures was limited by the relatively restricted range of traumas examined, and the lack of contextual details surrounding both the traumatic event exposures themselves and the severity of children's post-traumatic stress reactions. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest study to date of the association between childhood trauma exposure and overgeneral autobiographical memory in adolescence. Findings suggest a modest association between exposure to traumatic events and later overgeneral autobiographical memory, a psychological variable that has been linked to vulnerability to clinical depression.
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Van den Broeck K, Reza J, Nelis S, Claes L, Pieters G, Raes F. The relationship between borderline symptoms and vantage perspective during autobiographical memory retrieval in a community sample. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul 2014; 1:8. [PMID: 26401292 PMCID: PMC4579497 DOI: 10.1186/2051-6673-1-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent findings show that (previously) depressed and traumatised patients, compared to controls, make more frequently use of an observer perspective (as set against a field perspective) when retrieving memories. Because patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often report mood disturbances and past traumatic experiences, it would be plausible to expect that these patients too would retrieve higher proportions of observer memories. Therefore, and given the phenotypical variance of BPD, we examined whether vantage perspective during recall is associated with one or more BPD symptom clusters. METHODS A community sample consisting of 148 volunteers (66 males) completed the Autobiographical Memory Test, the Borderline Syndrome Index, and the Depression Scale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. RESULTS Interpersonal and anxious-neurotic BPD features were associated with higher proportions of observer memories. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of observer memories was not associated with the total number of BPD symptoms. Nevertheless, our data suggest the existence of substantial connections between perspective taking during recall on the one hand and interpersonal difficulties and anxious-neurotic symptoms on the other hand, especially following cues that tap into domains that are highly discrepant towards one's actual self-concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Van den Broeck
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, box 3712, 3000 Leuven, Belgium ; University Psychiatric Centre KU Leuven Campus Kortenberg, Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium
| | - Jasmin Reza
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, box 3712, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sabine Nelis
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, box 3712, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurence Claes
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, box 3712, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guido Pieters
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, box 3712, 3000 Leuven, Belgium ; University Psychiatric Centre KU Leuven Campus Kortenberg, Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium
| | - Filip Raes
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, box 3712, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Ono M, Devilly GJ. The role of childhood and adulthood trauma and appraisal of self-discrepancy in overgeneral memory retrieval. Cogn Emot 2013; 27:979-94. [DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2012.753869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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31
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Debeer E, Raes F, Williams JMG, Craeynest M, Hermans D. Operant conditioning of autobiographical memory retrieval. Memory 2013; 22:171-83. [DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2013.774419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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32
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Debeer E, Raes F, Claes S, Vrieze E, Williams JMG, Hermans D. Relationship between cognitive avoidant coping and changes in overgeneral autobiographical memory retrieval following an acute stressor. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2012. [PMID: 23200429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2011.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
According to the functional avoidance hypothesis, overgeneral autobiographical memory, the tendency to retrieve personal memories in a less specific format, might serve an affect-regulating function. Reducing the specificity of memories of negative events may prevent individuals from re-experiencing the associated painful emotions. This cognitive avoidance strategy might not only be employed by depressed and traumatized patients, but also by healthy individuals. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that the increase in memory overgenerality induced by an acute stressor is positively correlated with habitual (cognitive) avoidant coping. Participants (N = 32) were exposed to a Trier Social Stress Test. Cognitive avoidant coping was measured at the start of the experiment by means of the Mainz Coping Inventory. Before, immediately after, and 40 min after the Trier Social Stress Test, autobiographical memory specificity was assessed by means of the Autobiographical Memory Test. Cognitive avoidant coping was significantly correlated with an increase in categoric memories from pre to immediately post stressor, but not with change in overgeneral memories from pre to 40 min post stressor. The results of the present experiment provide further support for functional avoidance as one of the mechanisms underlying overgeneral memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Debeer
- Department of Psychology, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 box 3712, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Griffith JW, Sumner JA, Raes F, Barnhofer T, Debeer E, Hermans D. Current psychometric and methodological issues in the measurement of overgeneral autobiographical memory. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2012. [PMID: 23200427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2011.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Autobiographical memory is a multifaceted construct that is related to psychopathology and other difficulties in functioning. Across many studies, a variety of methods have been used to study autobiographical memory. The relationship between overgeneral autobiographical memory (OGM) and psychopathology has been of particular interest, and many studies of this cognitive phenomenon rely on the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) to assess it. In this paper, we examine several methodological approaches to studying autobiographical memory, and focus primarily on methodological and psychometric considerations in OGM research. We pay particular attention to what is known about the reliability, validity, and methodological variations of the AMT. The AMT has adequate psychometric properties, but there is great variability in methodology across studies that use it. Methodological recommendations and suggestions for future studies are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Griffith
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N Michigan Ave, 27th Floor, Suite 2700, Chicago, IL 60610, USA.
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Memory specificity in borderline personality disorder: associations with depression and self-discrepancy. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2012. [PMID: 23200432 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Reduced memory specificity (RMS) is a robust finding in (previously) depressed patients and patients suffering from posttraumatic symptoms. It has been associated with depression severity, rumination, and--more recently--with cue content (e.g., cues referring to highly discrepant self-guides are assumed to hinder specific memory retrieval more likely than cues that match one's self-concept). In this study we have investigated the presence of these relationships in 34 patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). All participants completed the Self-Description Questionnaire (SDQ), the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS). First, it was observed that both rumination and depression severity were associated with RMS. However, when confounding between rumination and depression severity was considered using partial correlations, only depression severity was found to be significantly associated with RMS. Second, in the currently depressed BPD patients (n = 11), memory specificity was significantly related to cue content suggesting that, at least for depressed BPD patients RMS is related to the extent to which cues activate highly discrepant personal domains. Although our data suggest that depression severity as well as current depression (in interaction with cue content) play an important role in the occurrence of RMS in BPD, we will discuss that these findings could be moderated by posttraumatic stress and/or executive functioning.
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Humphries C, Jobson L. Short report: Influence of culture and trauma history on autobiographical memory specificity. Memory 2012; 20:915-22. [DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2012.710432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Heron J, Crane C, Gunnell D, Lewis G, Evans J, Williams JMG. 40,000 memories in young teenagers: psychometric properties of the Autobiographical Memory Test in a UK cohort study. Memory 2012; 20:300-20. [PMID: 22348421 PMCID: PMC3379787 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2012.656846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Although the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) is widely used its psychometric properties have rarely been investigated. This paper utilises data gathered from a 10-item written version of the AMT, completed by 5792 adolescents participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, to examine the psychometric properties of the measure. The results show that the scale derived from responses to the AMT operates well over a wide range of scores, consistent with the aim of deriving a continuous measure of over-general memory. There was strong evidence of group differences in terms of gender, low negative mood, and IQ, and these were in agreement when comparing an item response theory (IRT) approach with that based on a sum score. One advantage of the IRT model is the ability to assess and consequently allow for differential item functioning. This additional analysis showed evidence of response bias for both gender and mood, resulting in attenuation in the mean differences in AMT across these groups. Implications of the findings for the use of the AMT measure in different samples are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Heron
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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Griffith JW, Kleim B, Sumner JA, Ehlers A. The factor structure of the Autobiographical Memory Test in recent trauma survivors. Psychol Assess 2011; 24:640-6. [PMID: 22149328 PMCID: PMC3437796 DOI: 10.1037/a0026510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT), which is widely used to measure overgeneral autobiographical memory in individuals with depression and a trauma history. Its factor structure and internal consistency have not been explored in a clinical sample. This study examined the psychometric properties of the AMT in a sample of recent trauma survivors (N = 194), who completed the AMT 2 weeks after a trauma. Participants were also assessed with structured clinical interviews for current acute stress disorder and current and past major depressive disorder. Confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory were used to analyze the AMT in the whole sample. The factor structure of the AMT was also compared for (a) individuals with and without lifetime major depressive disorder and (b) individuals with current (posttrauma) major depressive disorder and/or acute stress disorder versus those with neither disorder. In all of these analyses, the AMT with cues of positive and negative valence had a 1-factor structure, which replicates work in nonclinical samples. Based on analyses of the whole sample, scores from the AMT had a reliability estimate of .72, and standard error of measurement was lowest for people who scored low on memory specificity. In conclusion, the AMT measures 1 factor of memory specificity in a clinical sample and can yield reliable scores for memory specificity. More psychometric studies of the AMT are needed to replicate these results with similar and other clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Griffith
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Event memory and suggestibility in abused and neglected children: Trauma-related psychopathology and cognitive functioning. J Exp Child Psychol 2011; 110:520-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2011.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Revised: 05/29/2011] [Accepted: 05/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Blix I, Brennen T. Mental time travel after trauma: the specificity and temporal distribution of autobiographical memories and future-directed thoughts. Memory 2011; 19:956-67. [PMID: 22050299 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2011.618500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between trauma exposure and specificity and temporal distribution of autobiographical memories and future-directed thoughts. A group of sexual assault victims were compared with women without previous trauma exposure in relation to specificity of autobiographical memories, as measured by the Autobiographical Memory Task (AMT) and specificity of future-directed thoughts as measured by the Future Cueing Task (FCT). The temporal distribution of future-directed thoughts and autobiographical memories was studied by asking the participants to estimate when each memory reported on the AMT had occurred and when each future event reported on the FCT would occur. The results showed no difference between the trauma group and the controls on specificity of autobiographical memories and future-directed thoughts. In line with a review of Moore and Zoellner (2007), PTSD symptoms as measured by the Impact of Event Scale (IES) correlated negatively with specificity. Furthermore, we observed no difference in temporal distribution of future-directed thoughts or autobiographical memories between trauma exposed participants and controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Blix
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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Kuyken W, Dalgleish T. Overgeneral autobiographical memory in adolescents at risk for depression. Memory 2011; 19:241-50. [DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2011.554421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Grassi-Oliveira R, de Azevedo Gomes CF, Stein LM. False recognition in women with a history of childhood emotional neglect and diagnose of recurrent major depression. Conscious Cogn 2011; 20:1127-34. [PMID: 21444214 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2011.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Revised: 02/27/2011] [Accepted: 03/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
While previous research has suggested that adults with a history of childhood sexual abuse may be more prone to produce false memories, little is known about the consequences of childhood neglect on basic memory processes. For this reason, the authors investigated how a group of women with a history of childhood emotional neglect (CEN) and diagnosed with recurrent Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) performed on the Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm in comparison to control groups. The results indicated that women with MDD and CEN were actually less prone to produce false memories relative to both women with MDD but no CEN and healthy women without MDD and any form of childhood maltreatment. These findings were explained in terms of the inability to extract/retrieve gist memories that support false recognition of critical lures, an explanation that seems to fit well with emerging MRI findings linking childhood neglect to reduced volume of brain regions associated to memory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Postgraduate Program in Psychology - Human Cognition, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil.
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Dowrick C, Shiels C, Page H, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Casey P, Dalgard OS, Dunn G, Lehtinen V, Salmon P, Whitehead M. Predicting long-term recovery from depression in community settings in Western Europe: evidence from ODIN. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2011; 46:119-26. [PMID: 20035318 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-009-0179-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2009] [Accepted: 12/15/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the impact of socio-economic and psychological adversity and healthcare on long-term recovery from depression. METHOD A community sample of 347 people with depressive disorders was followed up after 9 years. Baseline socio-economic adversity, social support, healthcare use, and psychiatric history were identified. Respondents completed self-report instruments on current depressive status (Beck depression inventory) and longstanding psychosocial adversity (sexual, physical or emotional abuse). Univariate analyses tested for association between recovery and respondent characteristics. RESULTS Follow-up was achieved for 182 (52%) of the sample, of whom 75 (41%) indicated recovery from depression. Psychological adversity definitely and socio-economic adversity probably were associated with lack of recovery. Baseline healthcare had no apparent impact on outcome. Rurality and support after life events were associated with recovery. History of depression was associated with non-recovery. CONCLUSION Psychological adversity is, and socio-economic adversity may be, associated with long-term non-recovery from depression in community settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Dowrick
- School of Population, Community and Behavioural Sciences, University of Liverpool, Whelan Building, Liverpool, L69 3GB, UK.
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Hipwell AE, Sapotichne B, Klostermann S, Battista D, Keenan K. Autobiographical memory as a predictor of depression vulnerability in girls. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL FOR THE SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY, AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, DIVISION 53 2011; 40:254-65. [PMID: 21391022 PMCID: PMC3057434 DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2011.546037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Overgeneral autobiographical memory (AM), the tendency to recall categories of events when asked to provide specific instances from one's life, is purported to be a marker of depression vulnerability that develops in childhood. Although early adolescence is a period of risk for depression onset especially among girls, prospective examination of this putative risk factor is lacking. The current study examined the prospective associations between AM recall and depressive symptomatology in an enriched community sample of predominantly African American girls. Girls (n = 195) were interviewed about depressive symptoms at ages 11 and 12 years, and AM recall was assessed at age 11. The findings showed that overgeneral retrieval to positive, but not negative, cue words predicted subsequent depressive symptoms after controlling for age 11 symptoms, race, poverty, and Verbal IQ. A moderating effect of race was also shown, whereby overgeneral AM bias predicted depressive symptoms more strongly among European American girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Hipwell
- Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Crane C, Duggan DS. Overgeneral autobiographical memory and age of onset of childhood sexual abuse in patients with recurrent suicidal behaviour. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2010; 48:93-100. [DOI: 10.1348/014466508x370600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Aglan A, Williams JMG, Pickles A, Hill J. Overgeneral autobiographical memory in women: Association with childhood abuse and history of depression in a community sample. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2010; 49:359-72. [DOI: 10.1348/014466509x467413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Mowlds W, Shannon C, McCusker CG, Meenagh C, Robinson D, Wilson A, Mulholland C. Autobiographical memory specificity, depression, and trauma in bipolar disorder. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2010; 49:217-33. [DOI: 10.1348/014466509x454868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Heidenreich T, Junghanns-Royack K, Stangier U. Specificity of autobiographical memory in social phobia and major depression. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2010; 46:19-33. [PMID: 17472199 DOI: 10.1348/014466506x106218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several studies have found evidence for overgeneral autobiographical memory in patients with major depression and other disorders. Individuals with social phobia have been found to report early memories relating to specific experiences of being depreciated or rejected. However, there are no clear results regarding specificity of autobiographical memory in social phobia to date. DESIGN Experimental design is quasi-experimental: Three groups were compared with regard to specificity of autobiographical memory. Emphasis was laid on matching the groups for age, gender and educational level. METHODS Following the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) and another recent study, 10 emotional cue words of positive or negative valence were presented to 18 outpatients with social phobia without current comorbid depression, 18 outpatients with major depression without current anxiety disorder and 18 healthy control subjects in a think-aloud task. Participants were asked to report a specific autobiographical event and received sufficient training to ensure that the method had been understood. RESULTS Results indicated no significant differences between groups for specificity and latency of first specific response. In contrast with earlier studies, an overgeneral response style was not observed in depressed patients. However, significant differences in educational level emerged. CONCLUSIONS Social phobics demonstrated a high ability to recall detailed specific autobiographical memories. Possible explanations for the discrepancy between our results and previous findings regarding depressed patients are discussed in terms of sample characteristics, specific modifications of the AMT-protocol and level of education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Heidenreich
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Frankfurt, Germany.
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Boelen PA, Huntjens RJC, van Deursen DS, van den Hout MA. Autobiographical memory specificity and symptoms of complicated grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder following loss. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2010; 41:331-7. [PMID: 20394916 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2010.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2009] [Revised: 02/17/2010] [Accepted: 03/14/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the specificity and content of autobiographical memories among bereaved individuals. Self-report measures of bereavement-related distress and a standard and trait version of the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) were administered to 109 bereaved people. We examined associations of memory specificity with (a) demographic and loss-related variables and with (b) symptom-levels of complicated grief (CG), depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), (c) associations of the content of memories (related vs. unrelated to the loss/lost person) with symptoms, and (d) the degree to which associations of symptom-levels with memory specificity and content differed between the standard and trait version of the AMT. Findings showed that (a) memory specificity varied as a function of age, education, and kinship; (b) reduced memory specificity was significantly associated with symptom-levels of CG, but not depression and PTSD; (c) symptom-levels of CG and PTSD were associated with a preferential retrieval of specific memories that were related to the loss/lost person on the standard AMT, whereas all three symptom-measures were associated with preferential retrieval of loss-related specific memories on the trait AMT; and (d) on the trait AMT, but not the standard AMT, symptom-measures remained significantly associated with a preferential retrieval of loss-related specific memories, when controlling for relevant background variables. Among other things, these results show that reduced memory specificity is associated with self-reported CG-severity but not depression and PTSD following loss. Moreover, the results are consistent with recent research findings showing that memories tied to the source of an individual's distress (e.g., loss) are immune to avoidant processes involved in the standard reduced specificity effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Boelen
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Vrielynck N, Philippot P, Rimé B. Level of processing modulates benefits of writing about stressful events: Comparing generic and specific recall. Cogn Emot 2010. [DOI: 10.1080/02699930903172161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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