The use of safety behaviours to manage intrusive memories in depression.
Cognitive models of clinical disorders conceptualise cognitive and behavioural safety-seeking behaviours as central to symptom persistence because they prevent disconfirmation of key maintaining beliefs. Despite growing evidence of the role of negative beliefs about intrusive memories in depression, it remains unclear why such beliefs persist. Accordingly, we examined whether safety behaviours in response to unhelpful beliefs about intrusive memories might play a role in their maintenance. Eighteen high dysphoric (i.e., BDI-II>or=12) individuals who reported an intrusive negative autobiographical memory in the past week completed a battery of measures about their memory, associated negative beliefs and safety behaviours adopted in response to their beliefs. The most commonly endorsed beliefs reflected themes of wanting to control memories (e.g., 'I should be able to rid my mind of this memory') and self-deprecation about experiencing them (e.g., 'Because I can't control this memory, I am a weak person'). The beliefs prompted a range of safety behaviours, with cognitive distraction being the most common. The findings demonstrate that safety behaviours are common in response to maladaptive beliefs about intrusive memories. Treatment developments in this area are needed, and should incorporate strategies to challenge beliefs about memories, reduce the use of safety behaviours, and promote processing of intrusive memories.
Moulds
Michelle L
ML
School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Mathews Building, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. m.moulds@unsw.edu.au
Kandris
Eva
E
Williams
Alishia D
AD
Lang
Tamara J
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009341:Negativism; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055815:Young Adult