Cited by 98Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchMemory Processes and InfluencesIdentity, Memory, and Therapy

Memory control ability modulates intrusive memories after analogue trauma

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Streb, Markus, Mecklinger, Axel, Anderson, Michael C., Lass-Hennemann, Johanna, Michael, Tanja·2016·Journal of Affective Disorders

Abstract

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
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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