Relationship between cognitive avoidant coping and changes in overgeneral autobiographical memory retrieval following an acute stressor.

Journal article

According to the functional avoidance hypothesis, overgeneral autobiographical memory, the tendency to retrieve personal memories in a less specific format, might serve an affect-regulating function. Reducing the specificity of memories of negative events may prevent individuals from re-experiencing the associated painful emotions. This cognitive avoidance strategy might not only be employed by depressed and traumatized patients, but also by healthy individuals. In the present study we tested...

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Authors: Debeer, E; Raes, F; Claes, S; Vrieze, E; Williams, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry
• Volume: 43 Suppl 1
• Pages: S37-S42
• Publication date: 2012-12-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2011.04.002
• EISSN: 1873-7943
• ISSN: 0005-7916
• Language: English
• Keywords: Adaptation, Psychological; Psychological Tests; Memory, Episodic; Stress, Psychological; Female; Adult; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Male; Cognition; Phobic Disorders; Young Adult; Hydrocortisone; Humans; Adolescent; Saliva