Is remembering less specifically part of an avoidant coping style? Associations between memory specificity, avoidant coping, and stress

ABSTRACT

Individuals higher on avoidant coping may remember fewer specific autobiographical memories and more nonspecific memories on the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) in order to protect themselves from the painful emotions accompanying some specific memories. Habitually remembering this way (overgeneral memory) may be a risk factor for depression. In Studies 1 and 2 (nondepressed samples), avoidant coping was associated with more specific memories and fewer overgeneral memories, at odds with the functional avoidance view. In Study 3 (depressed sample), there were no significant relationships between AMT indices and avoidant coping. Results are discussed in light of ironic process theory.

KEYWORDS:

• Autobiographical memory specificity
• overgeneral memory
• avoidant coping
• depression
• stress

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.