Autobiographical Memory and Health in Childhood and Adolescence

Abstract

Autobiographical memory is memory about experiences significant to the self. Generally, as children develop, their autobiographical memories improve. However, a number of factors can affect or are related to development of children's and adolescents’ autobiographical memories. These include issues associated with socioemotional, physiological, and psychological health and well-being. For example, sensitive parent-child conversations and elaborative reminiscing about personal life events can improve children's memories for these events later. In addition, parent-child attachment affects how children attend to distressing events, which can enhance or impair encoding and later memory of them. The body's physiological response to traumatic experiences can help individuals remember and avoid similar experiences in the future. However, chronic stress can negatively affect the brain and the body's physiological stress response systems, resulting in problems such as hyperactivity in the amygdala, decreased hippocampal volume, and atypical cortisol responses to stress. Chronic stress and the resulting physiological changes are associated with mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which predict heightened or impaired memory and further repercussions on the brain and stress response systems. However, traumatic experiences and chronic stress do not always lead to mental illness and memory problems. A variety of interventions and behaviors, such as emotion regulation training, mindfulness training, and physical exercise can counter the negative effects of trauma. In this chapter, we will present research and theory on children's and adolescent's autobiographical memory and health, including factors that can improve or impair memory, and those related to resilience and recovery.