Memory control ability modulates intrusive memories after analogue trauma
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Most people suffer from intrusive memories in the aftermath of trauma. For survivors' well-being, it is key that these intrusions are controlled. Memory control can be exerted through retrieval suppression. Poor retrieval suppression, however, should be associated with persistent distressing intrusions and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study tested the hypothesis that individual differences in retrieval suppression predict intrusive memories after trauma. Retrieval suppression was examined with the think/no-think task (TNT) using behavioral and event related potential (ERP) measures. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy participants watched a "traumatic" film after performing the TNT task. The frequency and distress of intrusions from the "traumatic" film was measured with an electronic diary. Additionally the Impact of Event Scale (IES) was assessed. RESULTS: In line with our hypothesis, behavioral measures of retrieval suppression ability predicted reduced distress ratings for intrusions (r=-.53, p<.01). Further ERP markers of retrieval suppression (a fronto-centrally distributed N2) predicted reduced distress ratings for intrusions (r=-.45, p<.05) and reduced IES Intrusion scores (r=-.56, p<.01). LIMITATIONS: The presented film is a relatively mild stressor as compared to a real-life trauma. Further studies are needed to explore the role of memory control processes for real-life trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with lower retrieval suppression ability exhibited less distressing intrusive memories after analogue trauma. The ERP correlate of retrieval suppression was associated with less distressing intrusive memories and reduced IES Intrusion scores, suggesting that deficient memory control is a potential risk factor for developing PTSD.
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- Authors
- Streb, M., Mecklinger, A., Anderson, M. C., Lass-Hennemann, J., & Michael, T.
- Affiliations
- University of Freiburg (DE)
- Saarland University (DE)
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Michael, Tanja
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-03
- Volume
- 192
- Pages
- 134-142
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2205273642
- Cited by
- 98
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 3 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 10.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Medical Research Council (MC_A060 5PR00)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG-IRTG-1457)
- Universität des Saarlandes
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Keywords
- intrusive memories, memory control, post-traumatic stress disorder, Think/No-Think task, N2 component, event-related potentials, individual differences, Impact of Event Scale
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Extinction, Psychological, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Mental Recall, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Stress, Psychological, Survivors, Young Adult
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