Importance de la mémoire autobiographique chez les patients antisociaux

Abstract

The study of autobiographical memory allows the understanding of identity construction. Narrative identity is fundamental to ensure continuity in one's life history. Over the last five years, we have witnessed a boom in scientific research highlighting narrative identity disorders in people with Antisocial Personality Disorder. These studies focus on the methodology of Recall of Self-Defining Memories. People with Antisocial Personality Disorder have difficulty integrating their memories, recall more multiple memories with negative valence, and refer to threatening or relational life events. The narrative incoherence observed could be characteristic of the disturbed identity functioning in young adults with Antisocial Personality Disorder. It would be interesting to study this functioning earlier in the life trajectory of adolescents with a Conduct Disorder. Assessing the Self-Defining Memories of these adolescents can clarify the identity related to the development of their criminal trajectory and identify the presence of narrative coherence. The aim is to interfere in the construction of their identity and to accompany them earlier in their forensic trajectory in order to improve the integration of their potentially traumatic life experiences. This psychological work to identify and make sense of traumatic experiences should have a beneficial effect on the regulation of the negative emotions generated by these memories. We hypothesise that antisocial behaviour and childhood adversity are more related to the inability to integrate than personality disorder.