Diurnal variation in clinical depression and accessibility of memories of positive and negative experiences.

Journal article

Each of 12 depressed patients with diurnal mood variation was seen at 2 different times during the day. On one of these occasions they were substantially more depressed than on the other. On each occasion they recalled life experiences associated to stimulus words. At the end of the 2nd occasion they rated these experiences for happiness or unhappiness at the time the experience occurred and also for current happiness or unhappiness. Memories of experiences that had been unhappy were more likely to be retrieved on the more depressed occasion than on the less depressed occasion. Memories of experiences that had been happy were more likely to be retrieved on the less depressed occasion than on the more depressed occasion. The current hedonic tone of a recalled experience was more likely to be rated less positive (or more negative) than the original hedonic tone the more depressed a person was while making the ratings. Findings are discussed in relation to cognitive theories of the development and maintenance of depression and in relation to its treatment. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1982 American Psychological Association.

Authors: Clark, D; Teasdale, J

• Journal: Journal of abnormal psychology
• Volume: 91
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 87-95
• Publication date: 1982-04-01
• DOI: 10.1037//0021-843x.91.2.87
• EISSN: 1939-1846
• ISSN: 0021-843X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Memory; Female; Humans; Free Association; Circadian Rhythm; Mental Recall; Depressive Disorder; Male