title: Autobiographical memory processes and the course of depression.
abstract: The authors report a 6-month follow-up study of clinically depressed patients. At baseline, 2 indexes of autobiographical memory functioning were assessed: the presence of spontaneous intrusive memories of stressful life events and performance on the Autobiographical Memory Test (J. M. G. Williams & K. Broadbent, 1986), which measures overgeneral memory. The index of overgeneral memory was associated with greater levels of spontaneous intrusion of stressful memories. Overgeneral memory did not predict outcome, but depression at follow-up was predicted by the amount of intrusion and avoidance of stressful memories, even after controlling for initial severity of psychiatric symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, England.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Brewin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tata
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001325:Autobiographies as Topic; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index