Abstract
Impaired retrieval of specific, autobiographical memories of personally experienced events is characteristic of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, findings in subclinical samples suggest that the reduced specificity phenomenon may reflect a broader impairment in the deliberate retrieval of all autobiographical memory types. This experiment (N = 68) explored this possibility by requiring individuals with and without MDD to complete a cued-recall task that required retrieval of specific, single-incident memories to a block of cues; retrieval of categoric, general memories to a block of cues; and to alternate between retrieval of specific and general memories for a block of cues. Results demonstrated that relative to never-depressed controls, individuals with MDD experience reduced recall of both specific (d = 0.48) and general memories (d = 1.00) along with reduced flexibility in alternating between specific and general memories (d = 0.90). Findings support further development of autobiographical memory–based interventions that target a range of retrieval deficits rather than specificity alone.
Highlights
Autobiographical memory plays a fundamental role in daily cognition
On the basis of the moderate effect size for the relationship (d = 0.60, directional α = .05) between Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT)-AI performance and depressive symptoms observed by Dritschel et al (2014), data were collected from 34 healthy community volunteers with no previous history of psychiatric disturbance who were registered on our department’s panel of volunteers and 34 individuals with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) experiencing a current Major Depressive Episode (MDE)
The current findings demonstrated that relative to never-depressed control participants, individuals with a diagnosis of MDD experienced difficulties with the intentional recollection of both specific and categoric autobiographical memories, there was no support for an additional performance cost in depression when participants had to alternate from trial to trial between one memory type and another
Summary
Autobiographical memory plays a fundamental role in daily cognition. We typically draw on autobiographical memory hundreds of times a day to facilitate problem solving ( Jing, Madore, & Schacter, 2016), imagine and make plans for our future ( Jing et al, 2017), and facilitate shared relationship discourse (Beike, Brandon, & Cole, 2016). On the AMT, depressed individuals consistently retrieve a lower number of specific memories than healthy controls (Dalgleish et al, 2007; Williams et al, 2007) This reduced specificity does not appear to be an epiphenomenon of the depressed state but rather independently predicts depressive prognosis (Sumner, Mineka, & Griffith, 2010), purportedly through reducing the aforementioned daily cognitive skills that rely on recall of specific memories (e.g., cognitive reappraisal, problem solving). We sought to determine whether the difficulties with the flexible retrieval of autobiographical memories (Dritschel et al, 2014) and categoric memory retrieval (Dalgleish et al, 2007) found in those with subclinical levels of low mood critically characterize clinical depression
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
