Citation

Johnson RJ, Greenhoot AF, Glisky E, McCloskey LA. J. Clin. Child Adolesc. Psychol. 2005; 34(2): 235-247.

Affiliation

Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, 66045, USA. rhimle@ku.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1207/s15374424jccp3402_3

PMID

15901224

Abstract

This study examined the relations among early and recent experiences with abuse, depression, and adolescents' autobiographical memory in a longitudinal study of family violence. Participants' (N = 134) exposure to violence was documented when they were 6 to 12 years old and again when they were 12 to 18 years old. The second assessment included measures of depression and autobiographical memory for childhood experiences. Memory problems were more consistently related to current circumstances than childhood abuse history. For instance, depressive symptoms were associated with increased rates of "overgeneral" childhood memories. Recent exposure to family violence predicted more overgeneral memories, shorter memories, and lower rates of negative memories. The patterns suggest that adolescents currently stressed by depression or family violence might strategically avoid the details of past experiences to regulate affect.

Language: en