Abstract
Immediate-recall tools, such as the Self-Administered Interview (SAI; Gabbert, Hope, & Fisher, 2009), have been designed to improve eyewitness performance by eliciting a comprehensive initial report. However, preliminary evidence suggests that such tools may increase psychological distress when the witnessed event is traumatic. Literature on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggests that delaying administration of the SAI after witnessing trauma may be appropriate and may prevent harmful psychological effects. The first aim of this study was to investigate the psychological effects of delayed as opposed to immediate administration of the SAI after witnessing a traumatic event. The second aim of this study was to investigate whether this delay would then affect the SAI as a tool for improving eyewitness performance at a later stage. Eighty participants viewed a trauma-analogous video and then completed the SAI immediately, after one day, or not at all. Despite finding increases in anxiety after its completion, the SAI was not found to have an effect on PTSD symptoms at follow-up conducted one week later, irrespective of whether it was completed immediately or after a delay. On the other hand, delaying the SAI reduced memory performance and rendered it ineffective as a tool for improving memory.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.