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Autobiographical Memory and Depression: Identity‐continuity and Problem‐solving Functions Indirectly Predict Symptoms over Time through Psychological Well‐being
Author(s) -
Hallford David John,
Mellor David
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
applied cognitive psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.719
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1099-0720
pISSN - 0888-4080
DOI - 10.1002/acp.3169
Subject(s) - autobiographical memory , psychology , reminiscence , optimism , psychological intervention , depression (economics) , adaptive functioning , cognition , depressive symptoms , structural equation modeling , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , cognitive psychology , psychiatry , statistics , mathematics , economics , macroeconomics
Summary The aim of this study was to assess the longitudinal associations between adaptive autobiographical memory functions and depressive symptoms. Consistent with the proposed mechanisms of change underpinning cognitive‐reminiscence therapy (CRT), it was hypothesised that more frequent adaptive reminiscence would lead to increases in psychological resources over time and indirectly affect depressive symptoms through this pathway. A sample of 171 young adults (mean age = 25.9 years, SD = 3.5) completed measures of how frequently they utilised autobiographical memory for identity‐continuity and problem‐solving purposes, depressive symptoms and personal resources (self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, meaning in life and optimism) at two time‐points. The results of structural equation modelling supported the model of indirect influence between reminiscence functions and depression through these psychological resources. These findings clarify the effects of adaptive autobiographical memory on depressive symptoms in young adults and indicate potential benefits of interventions such as CRT. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.