Abstract
BackgroundThe ability to retrieve specific memories is a cognitive and emotional protective factor. Among the most effective techniques to generate autobiographical memories is the use of audio-visual stimuli, particularly images. Developing and improving techniques that facilitate the generation of such memories could be highly effective in the prevention of depressive symptoms, especially in the elderly population. The aim of the present study is to examine how the level of personal relevance of pictures as autobiographical memory cues to induce positive emotions may affect an individual’s emotion regulation.MethodsThe participants, 120 older adults aged 65 and over and 120 young adults aged between 18 and 35, of both sexes and without depressive symptoms, will be induced to a negative mood state by means of viewing a film clip. Following the negative mood induction, the participants will be shown positive images according to experimental group to which they were randomly assigned (high personal relevance: personal autobiographical photographs; medium personal relevance: pictures of favourite locations associated with specific positive autobiographical memories; and low personal relevance: positive images from the International Affective Picture System). We will analyse the differences in subjective (responses to questionnaires) and objectives measures (EEG signal, heart rate variability and electrodermal activity) between the groups before and after the induction of negative affect and following the recall of positive memories.DiscussionThe use of images associated with specific positive autobiographical memories may be an effective input for inducing positive mood states, which has potentially important implications for their use as a cognitive behavioural technique to treat emotional disorders, such as depression, which are highly prevalent among older adults.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04251104. Registered on 30 January 2020.
Highlights
Background and rationale {6a} The probability of suffering from depression at some point in one’s life is superior to that of other mental disorders, such as anxiety, for example [1]
Studies should not be directed solely towards the development and improvement of treatments for clinical depression, and towards studying variables that can help prevent the appearance of depressive symptoms and/or reduce the presence of non-clinical depressive symptoms in healthy ageing
Emotion regulation is a key factor in adaptive functioning throughout life, being associated with cognitive, physical and social health [102]
Summary
Background and rationale {6a} The probability of suffering from depression at some point in one’s life is superior to that of other mental disorders, such as anxiety, for example [1]. Depressive symptoms in older adults may be the result of multiple changes occurring in this life period (e.g. loss of loved ones, worsening health, social isolation, reduced independence, etc.). Preventing and mitigating depressive symptoms should be a core element in improving mental health and quality of life in healthy older adults. For this reason, studies should not be directed solely towards the development and improvement of treatments for clinical depression, and towards studying variables that can help prevent the appearance of depressive symptoms and/or reduce the presence of non-clinical depressive symptoms in healthy ageing. Developing and improving techniques that facilitate the generation of such memories could be highly effective in the prevention of depressive symptoms, especially in the elderly population. The aim of the present study is to examine how the level of personal relevance of pictures as autobiographical memory cues to induce positive emotions may affect an individual’s emotion regulation
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