A Prospective Study of Autobiographical Memory and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Cancer.

Abstract

In this study, the authors investigated the relationship between autobiographical memory and the onset and maintenance of distressing memories following cancer. In Study 1, participants recently diagnosed with head, neck, or lung cancer were assessed for acute stress disorder (ASD). Participants with ASD reported fewer specific memories than did participants without ASD. In Study 2, the same participants were assessed 6 months later for autobiographical memory and cancer-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Deficits in the retrieval of specific memories in Study 1 were not predictive of subsequent PTSD. Increased hopelessness during the 6 months was associated with a decline in the retrieval of positive memories and an increase in the retrieval of negative memories. These findings accord with propositions that retrieval of distressing memories is guided by current self-image and attitude toward one's future.

Cancer patients’ and professional caregivers’ needs, preferences and factors associated with receiving and providing fertility-related information: A mixed-methods systematic review

“…A cancer diagnosis is often emotionally overwhelming for patients (Gardino and Emmanuel, 2010). Moreover, newly diagnosed patients receive a large amount of new information at the time of diagnosis (Kangas et al, 2005). Kessels (2003) stated that attentional narrowing occurs in events perceived as stressful or emotional.…”

Autobiographical memory and the self-memory system in posttraumatic stress disorder

“…This finding was interpreted as evidence that veterans who maintain a self-image of military identity are more likely to retrieve memories of that part of their lives (McNally, 2003). Similarly, a study of cancer patients with PTSD indicated that these patients retrieved more autobiographical memories about their illness compared to cancer patients without PTSD (Kangas, Henry, & Bryant, 2005). Conway and Pleydell-Pearce (2000) maintain that autobiographical memory for specific events is reconstructed from representations in the autobiographical knowledge base.…”

Autobiographical memory after acute stress in healthy young men

“…However, laboratory word tasks are not necessarily an ecologically valid measure of real-life memories of one's personal past, defined as autobiographical memory (Tulving, 2002). Furthermore, disorders such as acute stress disorder, depression, or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that are characterised by cortisol disregulations have been related to recall of nonspecific, over-general autobiographic memories (e.g., Bryant, Sutherland, & Guthrie, 2007;Harvey, Bryant, & Dang, 1998;Kangas, Henry, & Bryant, 2005;Williams & Scott, 1988).…”