Autobiographical memory in depression and anxiety: Similarities and differences with the effects of early maladaptive schemas, rumination, and cognitive avoidance

The present dissertation initially aimed to investigate ABM characteristics in depression and anxiety. A second objective was to examine the relationships of EMSs, avoidance, and rumination with each other and also with depression and anxiety. Another goal was to assess the effects EMSs, avoidance, and rumination on ABM. Lastly, this research had an explorative interest for the activation of EMSs using schema vignettes, and effects of schema activation on ABM characteristics. To satisfy these aims, three studies were conducted. In Study I, schema vignettes were developed, and their manipulation abilities were tested. In Study II, data was collected from a large university student sample (N = 918) to investigate associations between EMSs and tendencies for rumination, and avoidance. Besides, Study II served a screening function for depression and anxiety. Accordingly, four groups were created (i.e., non-clinically depressed, non-clinically anxious, non-clinically comorbid, and controls) and participants of these groups were invited to Study III. In Study III, 118 participants were individually tested in laboratory setting. A cue-word type ABM test was administered in two halves with words in random order. In between two parts of the test, manipulation for schema activation was performed. The differences and similarities of the groups in the nature, content, and the perspective features of ABM; and the effects of schema activation were explored. Results yielded significant differences in the characteristics of ABMs between groups and pointed out interesting alterations in comorbidity. Schema vignettes were proved to be successful tools for activation of dominant schemas, however, schema activation had no effect on ABM. Moreover, findings revealed significant associations between certain schemas and memory features; and suggested a role for EMSs to understand individuals' tendencies for rumination and avoidance.