Correlates of autobiographical memory specificity: The role of depression, anxiety, and childhood trauma

I. Wessel*, M. Meeren, F.P.M.L. Peeters, A.R. Arntz, H.L.G.J. Merckelbach

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

The present study examined the role of childhood trauma, major depressive disorder (MDD), and anxiety disorder (AD) in overgeneral autobiographical memory. Ninety-three outpatients and 24 healthy controls completed a childhood trauma questionnaire and an autobiographical memory test (AMT), Results showed that MDD diagnosis rather than trauma history predicted AMT-performance. Memory specificity was not related to AD diagnosis, recovered MDD, or self-rated depression severity. The present findings cast doubts on theories that emphasize the role of childhood trauma in overgeneral autobiographical memory.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)409-421
JournalBehaviour Research and Therapy
Volume39
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2001

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