Reminiscence-based interventions focus on the recall of autobiographical memories and reflective reasoning about these remembered experiences. This study assessed the effect of a three-session, positive-memory version of cognitive-reminiscence therapy (CRT) on the psychological resources and mental well-being of young adults. The participants (N=62, Mage=24.6 [SD=3.1], 71% females) were randomised to CRT or wait-list. Psychological resources (self-esteem, self-efficacy, meaning in life, optimism), mental well-being (depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms) and theorised change processes (automatic negative thoughts, awareness of narrative identity and cognitive reappraisal) were assessed. The results showed the CRT group was significantly higher on psychological resources at post-CRT (d=0.75-0.80) and follow-up (d=0.52-0.87), and mental well-being at post-intervention (d=0.71–1.30) and follow-up (d=0.64–0.98). The hypotheses regarding change processes were supported. Future research may use an active comparator and longer follow-ups. Brief, positive-focused CRT is effective in increasing psychological resources and mental well-being in young adults.

Internet addiction is a pernicious behavioural disorder that has received increasingly more interest as societies become more technological. This study addressed the current lack of data in the Indian context by examining problematic internet use among individuals receiving treatment for mental health disorders. In addition, it examined specific uses of the internet that have the potential to be problematic and impact on quality of life, namely social media use and online gaming, the reasons why people used the internet, and the perceived benefits and problems it gives rise to. Almost half (44%) of the sample reported severely dependent levels of internet addiction. Those with depressive disorders reported higher levels of internet addiction relative to other disorders. Findings regarding benefits and problems of internets use were somewhat paradoxical, whereby internet use could be both beneficial and problematic in the domain (e.g., increased and decreased social interaction). The use of screening for internet addiction, and the development of culturally-adapted treatments for Indians with mental health disorders may be indicated.

Difficulty in accessing specific memories, referred to as reduced memory specificity or overgeneral memory, has been established as a marker of clinical depression. However, it is not clear if this deficit persists following the remission of depressive episodes. The current study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of empirical studies with the aim of establishing whether remitted depression was associated with retrieving fewer specific and more overgeneral autobiographical memories. Seventeen studies were identified as eligible. The results indicated that people with remitted depression recalled fewer specific memories (k = 15; g = -0.314, 95% CI[-0.543; -0.085], z = -2.69, p = .007) and more categoric memories (k = 9; g = 0.254, 95% CI[0.007; 0.501], z = 2.02, p = .043) compared to people who had never been depressed. Given that these deficits have elsewhere been shown to be prognostic of future depressive symptoms, these findings provide further evidence that reduced memory specificity/overgeneral memory appears to be a risk factor for future episodes of depression in those that are in remission. The findings are discussed in terms of how this knowledge might influence clinical understanding of relapse prevention and maintenance of remission in those with a history of depression.

Background and Objectives: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with a tendency to retrieve general autobiographical memories, in particular more categoric memories and less specific memories. Autobiographical memories are retrieved via generative retrieval methods involving an effortful search, or direct retrieval methods whereby the memory immediately comes to mind. It has been argued that the tendency for general memories in depression occurs through a failure of generative retrieval, regardless of valence of cue word. However, we propose that categoric memories might be more likely to be recalled via direct retrieval, and direct retrieval is more likely for negatively-valenced cues. Methods: A large sample of individuals with MDD (N=298; M age=47.2, SD=12.7) completed the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) and indicated whether retrievals were generative or direct. Results: Categoric memories for negatively-valenced cues were more likely to be directly retrieved than generatively retrieved, and more likely than direct retrieval for positively-valenced cues. In addition, categoric memories for positively-valenced cues were more likely to be generatively retrieved relative to generative retrieval for negatively-valenced cues. For specific memories, the results followed the same pattern. Relative to non-clinical samples, direct retrieval for negative-valenced cues in MDD was high. Limitations: Future studies might include non-clinical groups and use alternate AMT instructionsConclusions: Negative categoric and specific memories were often direct representations of experiences in MDD. Retrieval method and valence may be important moderating processes in the type of memories that are recalled, and indicate a possible need to expand current theory on retrieval tendencies in MDD.