Authors:

Drummond, L., Dritschel, B., Astell, A., O'Carroll, R.E. & DALGLEISH, T.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2006

CBU number:

6140

Abstract:

Overgeneral Autobiographical Memory (ABM) is strongly associated with depression in adults and appears to reflect a stable cognitive bias. However it is not known whether this bias exists in children or what factors contribute to its development. We examined the roles of age, dysphoria and a new variable, Emotion-Focusing, on the production of specific ABM in children, using the standard ABM cuing task. Results show that older children were more specific than younger children, irrespective of cue valence. Dysphoria was linked to overgeneral retrieval of positive memories in children. A 3-way interaction between age, valence and dysphoria was also found, such that older dysphoric children demonstrate a difficulty in retrieving specific negative memories. In addition, Emotion-Focusing was associated with specific ABM recall, especially to negative cues. Results are discussed with reference to the development of depressogenic biases.