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To be aware or not aware: Do intrusions with and without meta-awareness differ?
Catherine A Keeping1, Reginald D V Nixon1, Victoria M E Bridgland1
1Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
|December 3, 2024
Summary
Intrusive memories, or intrusions, can occur with or without meta-awareness. This study found intrusions with meta-awareness are linked to greater negativity and thought suppression, suggesting a need to differentiate them.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Intrusive memories are common after trauma.
- These intrusions can occur with or without explicit awareness (meta-awareness).
- The differences in experience and response based on meta-awareness are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if intrusions with and without meta-awareness differ in subjective experience.
- To determine if these differences are associated with maladaptive responses like thought suppression.
- To assess the clinical significance of differentiating intrusions based on meta-awareness.
Main Methods:
- Participants watched a trauma analogue film.
- Intrusions related to the film were captured during a subsequent reading task.
- Intrusion characteristics and meta-awareness were assessed.
- Associations between meta-awareness and negative experiences or suppression were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Intrusion meta-awareness positively correlated with intrusion negativity.
- Meta-awareness was also associated with increased re-experiencing and thought suppression.
- No significant correlation was found between meta-awareness and negative interpretations of intrusions.
Conclusions:
- Intrusions with meta-awareness are experienced more negatively and are linked to greater thought suppression.
- These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between intrusions with and without meta-awareness.
- Considering both types of intrusions is crucial for theoretical models and clinical interventions.
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