title: Differential memory effects for encoding and retrieving disorder-relevant contents in relation to checking.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obsessive-compulsive (OC) checkers have been shown to be impaired in memory. However, when encoding OC-related material, OC checkers exhibit superior recall. This study aims to investigate emotion-related memory performance in relation to checking using newly developed OC-specific material. Additionally, metacognitive characteristics such as cognitive confidence were considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a sample of 63 participants (including 26 participants with obsessive-compulsive disorder), immediate and delayed recall for neutral stories and for OC-specific stories containing checking- and washing-related content were assessed. Regression analyses were applied to investigate the relationship to checking symptoms. The influence of metacognitive characteristics on recall was also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher checking was related to significantly better memory performance for a checking-related story as compared to two neutral stories. However, higher checking was also related to higher rates of forgetting of the OC-specific material over the delay period. Rates of forgetting in relation to checking were mediated by cognitive confidence. Diagnostic status was not predictive of any outcome variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of typical and not idiosyncratic verbal material may limit the ecological validity of these findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In relation to high checking, different disorder-related cognitive and affective processes seem to interfere with memory encoding and retrieval at different stages. Metacognitive therapy methods might address these processes and thereby lead to a reduction of both cognitive impairment and OC symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: jana.hansmeier@staff.uni-marburg.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hansmeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Glombiewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rief
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Exner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Checking; Confidence; Memory; Obsessive-compulsive disorder