Direct retrieval bias for general and specific memories for negatively valenced cues in major depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with reduced specificity in autobiographical memory. It has been argued that this tendency occurs through a failure of effortful generative retrieval, regardless of valence of cue word. However, we propose that in MDD general memories are likely to be recalled via direct retrieval, and direct retrieval is more likely for negatively valenced cues. To provide a preliminary test of this, a large sample with MDD (N = 298; M age = 47.2) completed the autobiographical memory test and indicated whether retrievals were generative or direct. Categoric and extended memories for negatively valenced cues were more often directly retrieved than generatively retrieved, and more often than direct retrieval for positively valenced cues. In contrast, categoric and extended memories for positively valenced cues were more often generatively retrieved relative to generative retrieval for negatively valenced cues. Relative to non-clinical samples, direct retrieval for negatively valenced cues was high. Retrieval method and valence may be moderating processes in the type of memories recalled. This preliminary work presents the possibility of an extension of theory on retrieval tendencies in MDD.