Childhood traumatic events and adolescent overgeneral autobiographical memory: findings in a U.K. cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Overgeneral autobiographical memory has repeatedly been identified as a risk factor for adolescent and adult psychopathology but the factors that cause such over-generality remain unclear. This study examined the association between childhood exposure to traumatic events and early adolescent overgeneral autobiographical memory in a large population sample.

Methods

Thirteen-year-olds, n = 5,792, participating in an ongoing longitudinal cohort study (ALSPAC) completed a written version of the Autobiographical Memory Test. Performance on this task was examined in relation to experience of traumatic events, using data recorded by caregivers close to the time of exposure.

Results

Results indicated that experiencing a severe event in middle childhood increased th

SUBMITTER: Crane C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4053588 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature