title: Autobiographical memory and psychological distress in a sample of upper-limb amputees.
abstract: Amputation is a traumatic and life-changing event that can take years to adjust to. The present study (a) examines psychological adjustment in a specific trauma-exposed sample, (b) compares the phenomenology (e.g., vividness) of amputation-related memories to more recent memories, and (c) tests whether memory phenomenology is associated with psychological distress. A total of 24 upper-limb amputees recalled two autobiographical memories--an amputation-related memory and a recent memory--and rated the phenomenological qualities of each memory, including Vividness, Coherence, Emotional Intensity, Visual Perspective, and Distancing. Participants also completed self-rated measures of psychological distress and personality. The sample was generally well adjusted; participants showed no relevant symptoms of anxiety and depression, and personality scores were similar to the general population. There were no significant differences in phenomenology between the two types of memories recalled. Even though amputation-related memories were, on average, almost 20 years older than the recent memories, they retained their intense phenomenology. Despite the intensity of the memory, none of the phenomenological dimensions were associated with psychological distress. It is worth to further define which dimensions of phenomenology characterize memories of traumatic events, and their association with individuals' psychological reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luchetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Montebarocci
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicolino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: I.N.A.I.L., Prosthesis Centre, Vigorso di Budrio, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cutti
authors.affiliation: Department Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Angelina R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sutin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000674:Amputees / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult