Schema-Driven Involuntary Categoric Memory in Depression

Background Overgeneral categoric memory is known as a vulnerability factor for depression, yet increased retrieval of categoric memories among depressed individuals has been observed in voluntary but not involuntary retrieval tasks. Here we propose that, increased categoric memory occurs during involuntary memory tasks when cued by schema-related stimuli, which tend to activate dysfunctional and negative self-schema in depression. Methods A vigilance task measuring involuntary memory was administered to 27 dysphoric, 26 past depressed, and 27 healthy control participants. Participants also responded to several questions measuring each memory characteristic (e.g., evoked emotion) and a dysfunctional schema scale. Results Results supported the hypothesis that dysphoric and past depressed groups reported more involuntary categoric memories for schema-related (particularly negative) stimuli relative to a healthy control group. Dysfunctional schema score was positively correlated with the number of involuntary categoric memories retrieved following schema-related negative stimuli. Involuntary categoric memory for schema-related stimuli was related to negative evoked emotion, and dysphoric participants experienced more negative emotion in response to positive stimuli. Discussion and Conclusion These findings suggest that schema-based involuntary categoric memory may be vulnerable to the persistence and relapse of depression.