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Published on: September 18, 2021
Associations of Self-Defining Memories Characteristics and Transdiagnostic Variables with Depressive Symptoms in
Dolores Fernández-Pérez1,2, Laura Ros1,2, Llanos Merín1
1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Castilla La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.
Abstract:
Population aging poses mental health challenges, particularly regarding depression. This study explores the relationship between transdiagnostic variables (self-esteem, intolerance of uncertainty), self-defining memory characteristics, and depressive symptoms in 225 young (M = 22.8) and 225 older adults (M = 68.4). Older adults reported higher depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and intolerance of uncertainty, as well as more specific, positive, and identity-relevant memories. Young adults' memories showed more guilt/shame and anger. In older adults, lower self-esteem, higher intolerance of anxiety, more memory detail, and external guilt/shame predicted greater depressive symptoms. These results highlight the role of memory and emotional processing in understanding depression in later life.
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