Posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, executive functioning, and autobiographical remembering in individuals with HIV and in carers of those with HIV in Iran

Abstract

Two studies examined autobiographical remembering in those with HIV (Study 1) and in carers of those with HIV (Study 2) in Iran. Study 1 investigated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms, executive control, and autobiographical remembering in those with HIV. Individuals with HIV (n = 34) and healthy controls (n = 34) completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Beck's Depression Inventory-II, Beck's Anxiety Inventory, Autobiographical Memory Interview, Autobiographical Memory Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Tower of London. The results indicated higher PTSD and depression symptoms among the HIV group. The findings also showed that those with HIV had lower levels of executive functioning, deficits in autobiographical remembering (semantic and episodic) and retrieved less specific autobiographical memories than the control group. Study 2 examined depression, executive functioning, and autobiographical memory performance among carers of those with HIV (n = 26) and healthy controls (n = 26). The same measures were completed as in Study 1. The results indicated higher depression among the carers group but the groups did not differ in terms of executive functioning or semantic recollection. The carers had lower episodic recall scores and less specific memories than the control group. The findings are discussed in terms of the processes involved in nonspecific retrieval of autobiographical material in relation to HIV.