Semantic and episodic autobiographical memory recall for memories not directly associated with childhood sexual abuse

Abstract

A pattern of overgeneral autobiographical memory recall for memories not directly associated with the abuse has been found in previous research. However, studies with a non psychiatric population are limited. In a non psychiatric student population sample, this study will use two methods of accessing autobiographical memory, The Children's Autobiographical Memory Inventory (CAMI) and the Autobiographical Memory Task (AMT). Contrary to the predictions, this study did not find that episodic recall to the AMT was less specific and episodic recall to the CAMI contained greater detail for both the abuse group and the trauma control group compared to a no trauma control group. Significant differences were found between groups on personal semantic recall with the CSA group reporting significantly lower semantic recall than the two control groups. These findings are relevant to therapeutic interventions as well as having potential implications for interviewing and obtaining statements to be used as evidence. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.