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Autobiographical Memory in Depression: State or Trait Marker?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

A. D. Brittlebank ,
Jan Scott ,
J. Mark ,
G. Williams  and
I. N. Ferrier
A. D. Brittlebank*
Affiliation:
Fairnington Centre, Corbridge Road, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 1QJ
Jan Scott
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
J. Mark
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, UCNW, Bangor, Clwyd
G. Williams
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, UCNW, Bangor, Clwyd
I. N. Ferrier
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

Two cognitive measures were used to assess 22 patients who met DSM–III–R criteria for major depressive disorder: the Autobiographical Memory (AM) test and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale. They were followed up over seven months. Measurement of dysfunctional attitudes did not predict outcome at seven months. Overgeneral recall on the AM test at initial assessment, especially for emotionally positive memories, was highly correlated with failure to recover from depression and accounted for 33% of the variance in HRSD score at follow-up. Overgeneral recall of emotional memories did not change during follow-up. It is suggested that overgenerality is a trait marker indicating vulnerability to persistent depression.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 162 , Issue 1 , January 1993 , pp. 118 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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