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Overgeneral memory in asylum seekers and refugees.

Belinda Graham1, Jane Herlihy2, Chris R Brewin1

  • 1Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are linked to overgeneral autobiographical memory in refugees and asylum seekers. This memory pattern may complicate their asylum claims.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Western studies link post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression to overgeneral autobiographical memory retrieval.
  • Autobiographical memory specificity is crucial for accurate recall of personal experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if the association between PTSD, depression, and overgeneral autobiographical memory extends to asylum seekers and refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • To explore the implications of memory retrieval patterns for individuals providing testimony during asylum seeking.

Main Methods:

  • 38 asylum seekers and refugees were recruited from clinical and community settings.
  • Participants underwent clinical interviews to assess PTSD and depression symptoms.
  • A test of autobiographical memory specificity was administered to all participants.

Main Results:

  • Participants diagnosed with PTSD and depression recalled a significantly lower proportion of specific autobiographical memories.
  • Individuals with PTSD were more likely to fail to recall any memory at all.
  • The study found that the association between PTSD, depression, and memory specificity holds true for diverse refugee and asylum seeker populations.

Conclusions:

  • The findings indicate that reduced autobiographical memory specificity is prevalent in asylum seekers and refugees experiencing PTSD and depression.
  • This memory pattern may present challenges for individuals seeking asylum, potentially impacting the credibility of their testimonies.
  • Further research is needed to disentangle the specific effects of PTSD and depression on memory specificity in these populations.