Stability of affect associated with autobiographical memories

Abstract

Childhood family atmosphere is a frequent topic in psychotherapy. Our aim was to assess the stability of affect associated with autobiographical memories. In a 7-year follow-up study of depression, 414 primary care patients and psychiatric outpatients both at baseline and at follow-up completed the self-inquiry Depression Scale (DEPS) and answered simple questions about the mental atmosphere in their childhood families. The prevalence and the distribution of changes in affect were calculated by cross-tabulation. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between depressiveness and changes in affect. Nearly 50% of the sample had at least one change in the responses. Young age and male gender were significant predictors for changes. Depressiveness was associated with changes in miserable affect of the childhood home. Affect associated with autobiographical memories seems to change over a longer period. The association between depressiveness and changes in recollections is convoluted. The large number of changes of affects concerning autobiographical memories should be taken into account both in psychotherapy and in studies of life-long experiences. Future long follow-up studies with more specific multi-item measures on family atmosphere are needed.

• Affective symptoms
• Autobiographical memories
• Depression
• Follow-up studies
• Mental recall