Role of Self-Defining Autobiographical Memories in Major Depressive Disorder
An Exploratory Study
Keywords:
Autobiographical memories, Self-defining memories, Phenomenological characteristics, Major Depressive DisorderAbstract
Aims/Objectives: The current study intended to explore the differences between two types of autobiographical memories, self-defining (SDM) and non-self-defining (NSDM), with reference to the phenomenological dimensions, age at incident, and personal significance of the memories across two groups of middle-aged adults (40-50 years of age) (N=10 in each group): (a) persons with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and (b) their matched healthy counterparts (HC).
Methods: The sample was obtained through convenience method, participants being screened with the help of General Health Questionnaire-28 and Beck Depression Inventory-II, followed by eliciting SDMs and NSDMs, three of each type, from any period of their lives, and to rating each of the memories on 10 phenomenological dimensions (in Memory Experiences Questionnaire-Short Form) and personal significance of the memories, mentioning the age at incident.
Results: Statistical analyses revealed significant difference in different phenomenological characteristics across the two types of memories (SDM and NSDM) as well as the two groups (MDD and HC). However, age at incident and personal significance were found to differ significantly across types of memories, but not across groups. Further, significant interaction effect was observed with respect to visual perspective and personal significance of memories. The present study, thus, delineates how the persons with MDD differ from healthy individuals in remembering their life events and embedding those into their selfhood.
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