Improving specific autobiographical memory in older adults : impacts on mood, social problem solving, and functional limitations

Leahy, Fiona and Ridout, Nathan and Mushtaq, Faizah and Holland, Carol (2018) Improving specific autobiographical memory in older adults : impacts on mood, social problem solving, and functional limitations. Neuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognition, 25 (5). pp. 695-723. ISSN 1382-5585

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Older adults have difficulty recalling specific autobiographical events. This over-general memory style is a vulnerability factor for depression. Two groups receiving interventions that have previously been successful at reducing over-general memory in depressed populations were compared to a control group. Participants were healthy older adults aged ≥70 years: memory specificity training (MEST; n = 22), life review (n = 22), and control group (n = 22). There were significant improvements in autobiographical memory specificity in the MEST and life review groups at post-training, relative to the control group, suggesting that over-general memory can be reduced in older adults. Change in social problem solving ability and functional limitations were related to change in autobiographical memory specificity, supporting the suggested role of specific retrieval in generating solutions to social problems and maintaining independence. Qualitative analysis of participants' feedback revealed that life review may be more appropriate for older adults, possibly because it involves integrating specific memories into a positive narrative.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Neuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognition
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3200/3206
Subjects:
?? autobiographical memorymestlife reviewagingmoodneuropsychology and physiological psychologygeriatrics and gerontologypsychiatry and mental healthexperimental and cognitive psychology ??
ID Code:
123729
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
02 Jul 2018 13:32
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 17:33