Development of the treatment for depression targeting overgeneralized autobiographical memory

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K13344
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 10030:Clinical psychology-related
• Research Institution: Shinshu University (2019-2021); Nagoya University (2018)
• Principal Investigator: Matsumoto Noboru 信州大学, 学術研究院人文科学系, 准教授 (60813863)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: うつ病 / 自伝的記憶の概括化 / 自伝的記憶の特定性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This project aimed to elucidate the causes of overgeneral autobiographical memory (OGM) and the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of memory specificity (MeST) training on depression. Several experimental studies have demonstrated that directly retrieved OGM for negative cues is particularly associated with depression and its vulnerability. This suggests that interventions of altering the accessibility of OGM are critical for the treatment. The secondary analysis of MeST intervention data showed that, while directly retrieved OGM for negative cues predicted depression one month later in the control group, this predictivity was mitigated by the MeST. A brand new intervention protocol focusing on the accessibility of OGM indicated greater treatment effects on depression.

Free Research Field

認知臨床心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本プロジェクトの成果は，OGMがなぜうつ病の脆弱要因となっているのか，その考えうる経路を特定するものであり，当該研究領域に重要な知見をもたらした。さらに，そのメカニズムに基づいた治療法の確立は，うつ病という社会問題に対してひとつの解決策をもたらす。