Graham Belinda, Herlihy Jane, Brewin Chris R
Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.
Centre for the Study of Emotion and Law, 1 Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1HR, UK.
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2014 Sep;45(3):375-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2014.03.001. Epub 2014 Apr 12.
Studies in western samples have shown that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are associated with overgeneral autobiographical memory retrieval. This study assesses whether this association extends to asylum seekers and refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds. We discuss implications for those providing testimony of their experiences when seeking asylum.
38 asylum seekers and refugees were recruited through clinics and community groups. Clinical interviews assessed PTSD and depression and participants completed a test of autobiographical memory specificity.
When accounting for omissions, participants with PTSD and depression recalled a lower proportion of specific memories. Those with PTSD also failed more frequently to report any memory.
The sample did not permit separate evaluation of the effects of PTSD and depression on specificity.
Lower memory specificity observed in people experiencing PTSD and depression in western populations extends to asylum seekers and refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds. This study adds to the literature suggesting that being recognised as a refugee fleeing persecution is more difficult for those with post-traumatic symptoms and depression.
针对西方样本的研究表明，创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）和抑郁症与过度概括性自传体记忆提取有关。本研究评估这种关联是否也适用于来自不同文化背景的寻求庇护者和难民。我们讨论了这一结果对那些在寻求庇护时提供自身经历证词者的影响。
通过诊所和社区团体招募了38名寻求庇护者和难民。通过临床访谈评估PTSD和抑郁症情况，参与者完成一项自传体记忆特异性测试。
在考虑遗漏因素后，患有PTSD和抑郁症的参与者回忆起的具体记忆比例较低。患有PTSD的参与者也更频繁地未能报告任何记忆。
该样本无法分别评估PTSD和抑郁症对记忆特异性的影响。
西方人群中患有PTSD和抑郁症者表现出的较低记忆特异性，在来自不同文化背景的寻求庇护者和难民中也存在。本研究补充了相关文献，表明对于有创伤后症状和抑郁症的人来说，被认定为难民逃离迫害更为困难。
