Reciprocal Relationship Between Reduced Autobiographical Memory Specificity and Depressive Symptoms in Nonclinical Populations

Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with major depression have reduced autobiographical memory specificity (AMS), and reduced AMS predicts a worse course of depression. However, in nonclinical populations, the relationship between depressive symptoms and reduced AMS is unclear, as well as whether reduced AMS predicts high levels of depressive symptoms. A 6-month prospective study of 150 undergraduate students was conducted. Participants completed the Autobiographical Memory Test Optional Instructions, which is suitable for detecting reduced AMS in nonclinical populations. A cross-lagged panel design showed a significant reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and reduced AMS. Additional analysis revealed that reduced AMS at time 1 predicted depressive symptoms at time 2 for individuals with high levels of depressive symptoms at time 1. These results suggest that reduced AMS in nonclinical populations with some degree of depressive symptoms is a potential target for interventions to prevent the onset of depression.