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Is remembering less specifically part of an avoidant coping style? Associations between memory specificity, avoidant
Timothy J Ganly1, Karen Salmon1, John McDowall1
1a School of Psychology , Victoria University of Wellington , Wellington , New Zealand.
Cognition & Emotion
|September 8, 2016
Summary
Individuals using avoidant coping strategies may recall more specific autobiographical memories, contrary to expectations. This challenges the idea that avoidant coping leads to overgeneral memory and depression risk.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Memory Research
Background:
- Avoidant coping is theorized to reduce emotional distress by promoting overgeneral autobiographical memory.
- Overgeneral memory is considered a potential risk factor for developing depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between avoidant coping and autobiographical memory specificity.
- To test the hypothesis that avoidant coping is associated with fewer specific and more overgeneral memories.
Main Methods:
- Three studies were conducted with participants from nondepressed and depressed samples.
- The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) was used to assess memory specificity and overgeneralization.
- Coping styles, including avoidant coping, were measured.
Main Results:
- In nondepressed samples, avoidant coping was linked to more specific and fewer overgeneral memories, contradicting the functional avoidance hypothesis.
- In a depressed sample, no significant associations were found between avoidant coping and Autobiographical Memory Test indices.
Conclusions:
- The findings challenge the prevailing view that avoidant coping promotes overgeneral memory.
- Results suggest a more complex relationship between coping mechanisms, memory, and depression, potentially explained by ironic process theory.
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