Abstract

Recent studies found that depressed individuals had overgeneral memories to positive and negative cues. This study investigated overgeneral memory in depressed individuals and examined the Williams'(1996) hypothesis that this could mediated by childhood trauma. We assessed the autobiographical memory, clinical traits, such as, depression, history of childhood physical or sexual abuse, and stress coping strategies. Results support the general hypothesis that individuals with high depression scores reported more overgeneral autobiographical memories in negative episodes. Subjects who reported childhood physical or sexual abuse also produced more overgeneral memories in negative autobiographical memories. When levels of depression was controlled, abuse history showed few association with negative autobiographical memories. In addition, subjects with abuse history had high levels of depression, anxiety, and borderline personality tendency. They also employed wish-fulfilling fantasy strategies to stress.