title: Autobiographical memory distributions for negative self-images: memories are organised around negative as well as positive aspects of identity.
abstract: The relationship between developmental experiences, and an individual's emerging beliefs about themselves and the world, is central to many forms of psychotherapy. People suffering from a variety of mental health problems have been shown to use negative memories when defining the self; however, little is known about how these negative memories might be organised and relate to negative self-images. In two online studies with middle-aged (N = 18; study 1) and young (N = 56; study 2) adults, we found that participants' negative self-images (e.g., I am a failure) were associated with sets of autobiographical memories that formed clustered distributions around times of self-formation, in much the same pattern as for positive self-images (e.g., I am talented). This novel result shows that highly organised sets of salient memories may be responsible for perpetuating negative beliefs about the self. Implications for therapy are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Oxford Brookes University , Oxford , UK.
authors.forename: Clare J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rathbone
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autobiographical memory; Depression; Identity; Negative core beliefs; Self-image