A meta-analytic review of overgeneral memory: The role of trauma history, mood, and the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract

A number of studies suggest that a history of trauma, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with autobiographical memory deficits, notably overgeneral memory (OGM). However, whether there are any group differences in the nature and magnitude of OGM has not been evaluated. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to quantify group differences in OGM. The effect sizes were pooled from studies examining the effect on OGM from a history of trauma (e.g., childhood sexual abuse), and the presence of PTSD or current depression (e.g., major depressive disorder). Using multiple search engines, 13 trauma studies and 12 depression studies were included in this review. A depression effect was observed on OGM with a large effect size, and was more evident by the lack of specific memories, especially to positive cues. An effect of trauma history on OGM was observed with a medium effect size, and this was most evident by the presence of overgeneral responses to negative cues. The results also suggested an amplified memory deficit in the presence of PTSD. That is, the effect sizes of OGM among individuals with PTSD were very large and relatively equal across different types of OGM. Future studies that directly compare the differences of OGM among 4 samples (i.e., controls, current depression without trauma history, trauma history without depression, and trauma history and depression) would be warranted to verify the current findings.

Precious memories: a randomized controlled trial on the effects of an autobiographical memory intervention delivered by trained volunteers in residential care homes

“…These findings apply to people with depressive symptoms or clinical depression (Van Vreeswijk & de Wilde, 2004;Williams, 1996), also in later life (Serrano, Latorre, & Gatz, 2007). A recent meta-analysis shows that overgeneralization in depression is particularly found with regard to positive memories (Ono, Devilly, & Shum, 2016). This finding matches earlier research on mood congruence effects that has shown that people in depressed mood recall fewer positive memories (Bower, 1981;Miranda & Kihlstrom, 2005;Singer & Salovey, 1988).…”

Default Mode Network Subsystems Are Differentially Disrupted in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

“…Prior work suggests that activity in the PCC and hippocampus is associated with successful retrieval of autobiographical events (56, 58, 59), and notably, that the functional connectivity between the PCC and hippocampus is involved in episodic autobiographical remembering (60, 61). Individuals with PTSD tend to retrieve overgeneral autobiographical memories, i.e., generic memories that are devoid of specific details (62–64). This tendency to retrieve overgeneral memories may be associated with alterations in a PCC-hippocampal pathway that is important for retrieving details of autobiographical memories.…”

Watch what I do, not what I say I do: Computer-based avatars to assess behavioral inhibition, a vulnerability factor for anxiety disorders

“…For example, individuals with major depressive disorder display mood-congruent memory effects, in that they are more likely to recall negatively- than positively-valenced information (Matt, Vázquez, & Campbell, 1992). Individuals with PTSD may be similarly impaired at accurate self-report, due to a tendency to overgeneralize autobiographical memories (e.g., Moradi, Abdi, Fathi-Ashtiani, Dalgleish, & Jobson, 2012; Ono, Devilly, & Shum, 2015 May 11 [Epub ahead of print]); in fact, a recently-defined subtype of PTSD involves dissociative symptoms, including disruptions in memory, identity, and perceptions (Bennett, Modrowski, Kerig, & Chaplo, 2015 May 25 [Epub ahead of print]; Tsai, Armour, Southwick, & Pietrzak, 2015). Finally, the form factor of a paper-and-pencil questionnaire may not be ideal for use with populations that have limited attention span or poor vocabulary and/or literacy skills.…”