Childhood Trauma and Self-Concept Clarity : The Role of Specificity and Integration of Self-Defining Memories

Taylor, Melanie and Sellwood, Bill (2025) Childhood Trauma and Self-Concept Clarity : The Role of Specificity and Integration of Self-Defining Memories. PhD thesis, Clinical Psychology.

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Abstract

Self-concept clarity is “the extent to which the contents of an individual’s self-concept (e.g. perceived personal attributes) are clearly and confidently defined, internally consistent, and temporally stable” (Campbell et al., 1996, p.1). This thesis aimed to explore the relationship between childhood trauma and self-concept clarity. Self-defining memories are autobiographical memories of a specific event which feel vivid, evoke strong emotion, and are related to a person’s core goals and conflicts. This thesis also aimed to explore the ability to recall self-defining memories from childhood in specific detail (specificity) and make meaning from such events (integration). More specifically, this thesis explored whether these cognitive skills influenced self-concept clarity. Section one presents a systematic literature review which aims to synthesise quantitative literature investigating the relationship between self-concept clarity and self-harm, including mediating and moderating variables investigated in this pathway. Self-harm thoughts, urges or behaviours were included, with or without suicidal intent. Several databases were searched for peer-reviewed papers published in scientific journals. Eighteen studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion. The findings and discussion are presented in this section. Section two presents an empirical study which aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood trauma and self-concept clarity with adult participants. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore whether specificity or integration from self-defining memory narratives mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and self-concept clarity. Participants were recruited online via social media and online forums using a snowballing method. The study was completed as an online survey. The findings and discussion are presented in this section. Section three presents the critical appraisal, which offersinterpretations of the review and study findings, addresses strengths and limitations, suggests clinical applications of the findings, and provides recommendations for further research.