Continuing Bonds and the Functions of Autobiographical Memories

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26380935
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Clinical psychology
• Research Institution: Aichi Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: Tagami Kyoko 愛知県立大学, 看護学部, 准教授 (80361004)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 山中 亮 名古屋市立大学, 大学院人間文化研究科, 教授 (20337207)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 自伝的記憶 / 継続する絆 / 死別 / 喪失 / 悲嘆 / 精神的健康

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of the present study was to explore how autobiographical memories serve a function in continuing bonds with the deceased. The relationship among well-being, characteristics of one loss experience, continuing bonds, subjective experiences in remembering autobiographical memory of the deceased, and involuntary memories of the deceased was investigated. Main results indicated that (1) continuing bonds did not always facilitate the adjustment to the bereavement when well-being was better; (2) continuing bonds might relate to remembering autobiographical memory involving the deceased in positive mood states; and (3) the higher frequency of involuntary memories of the deceased was associate with the poorer well-being. Further elaborate research is needed to investigate continuing bonds and autobiographical memory, such as examining by family relationship to the deceased.

Free Research Field

臨床心理学