Differential correlates of autobiographical memory specificity to affective and self-discrepant cues

Abstract

According to the CaRFAX model (Williams et al., 2007), several processes may result in overgeneral autobiographical memory. The present study examined whether the type of cue used in the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) is important for illuminating relationships between autobiographical memory specificity and variables pertinent to the Functional Avoidance (FA) and Capture and Rumination (CaR) aspects of the model. Sixty-one women varying in their experience of a potentially traumatic event and previous depression completed two versions of the AMT: one containing affective cues and the other containing cues representing idiosyncratic self-discrepancies. Consistent with the FA hypothesis, avoidance of the potentially traumatic event was associated with fewer specific memories on the affective, but not the self-discrepant AMT. Furthermore, in line with the CaR hypothesis, performance on the self-discrepant, but not the affective AMT was related to ruminative self-reflection in women reporting previous depression, even after controlling for current depression and education levels. Together the results suggest that varying cue type may increase the sensitivity of the AMT, depending on the aspect of the CaRFAX model of overgeneral memory that is to be addressed.

Keywords:

• Autobiographical memory specificity
• CaRFAX model
• Avoidance
• Self-discrepancies
• Reflective rumination
• Centrality of Event Scale

We thank Janneke Carmelia, Judith van Rijn, Suzanne van der Heijden, Rolienke Stuursma, Esther Canrinus, and Rita Timmer for their assistance in this study. Parts of this study were supported by an Innovational Research Incentive VIDI grant (452—03—329) of the Foundation for Behavioural and Educational Sciences of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific research (NWO) awarded to IW.

We thank Janneke Carmelia, Judith van Rijn, Suzanne van der Heijden, Rolienke Stuursma, Esther Canrinus, and Rita Timmer for their assistance in this study. Parts of this study were supported by an Innovational Research Incentive VIDI grant (452—03—329) of the Foundation for Behavioural and Educational Sciences of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific research (NWO) awarded to IW.

Notes

¹ Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy or the direct postpartum period. It is characterized by new onset high blood pressure and protein in the urine, and is potentially life threatening as it may involve several organ systems, such as kidneys, liver, or brain. When the brain is involved and a woman develops seizures, the condition evolves into eclampsia. The only way to reverse this condition is delivery of the baby, often resulting in the birth of a premature infant.