Flashbulb memories for the declaration of the COVID-19 alarm state: Age-related differences

There is little research on flashbulb memories (FBM) concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, and previous findings on age-related differences in FBM are mixed. This study aims to analyse whether the recall of the declaration of the alarm state triggered by COVID-19 has the characteristics of FBM, and to examine age-related differences considering three age groups: young, middle-aged, and older adults. Typically used canonical categories were examined (e.g., where were you when you heard the news, what were you doing?) considering the specificity (amount of detail in the responses) and confidence in each response. Additionally, thoughts and emotions generated by the event were analysed. The results show that the alarm state statement meets the main characteristics of FBM; that is, participants recalled the required categories with detail, high perception of reliving, and confidence. Moreover, young people recalled the reported categories in more detail than middle-aged or older adults did. Interestingly, middle-aged people behaved similarly to older people, showing the need to consider this age group in future memory research.