Memory Specificity Training as Depression Intervention

Abstract

Although little work has directly tested increasing the specificity of autobiographical memory as an intervention for depression, there is evidence that memory specificity training could function as an effective, low-cost intervention for depressive disorders. The present study examined memory specificity training as an intervention for depression against active (memory strategy training) and no-contact control conditions in a sample of 100 young adults, as well as potential moderators of treatment effectiveness (i.e., executive functioning, interpretation bias, life stress). There were no significant training effects over time; although, the active control (memory strategy training) had lower depressive symptoms averaged over the three timepoints. There was some support that memory specificity training reduced depressive symptoms (when compared to the no-contact control) for individuals who had less negative interpretation bias. Additionally, results supported that specificity training may be most effective under conditions of low stress; however, increases in memory specificity in the context of high numbers of stressful life events marginally predicted higher depressive symptoms at follow-up.