Objective: In this study, we will examine phenomenological aspects of autobiographical memory and its relation to positive / negative affect in students of art and humanities and a group of depressed patients.
Method: The dominant affect of each of the students was assessed by using Positive and Negative Affect Scale. Then, they were asked to describe four memories (two real memories, two imagined memories and for each of them, a pleasant memory and an unpleasant one). The participants rated phenomenological aspects of each memory through Memory Characteristics Questionnaire. To make later comparison possible, the above examinations were done on a group with depressed mood as well.
Results: The results showed that the healthy participants reported identical levels of positive and negative affects, whereas depressed patients experienced less positive affect and more negative affect than the other two groups. On the whole, depressed patients reported less phenomenological details of autobiographical memories (pleasant/unpleasant and real/imagined) than the other two groups. The function of the art group was better than the humanistic group. Correlation between evaluated parameters and affect was meaningful.
Conclusion: These findings are consistent with the negative view of depressed patients toward themselves, world and future.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Special Received: 2003/02/20 | Accepted: 2003/04/21 | Published: 2003/06/22