False memory for trauma-related Deese-Roediger-McDermott lists in adolescents and adults with histories of child sexual abuse

Gail S. Goodman, Christin M. Ogle, Stephanie D. Block, Latonya S. Harris, Rakel P. Larson, Else Marie Augusti, Young Il Cho, Jonathan Beber, Susan Timmer, Anthony Urquiza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of the present research was to examine Deese-Roediger-McDermott false memory for trauma-related and nontrauma-related lists in adolescents and adults with and without documented histories of child sexual abuse (CSA). Individual differences in psychopathology and adult attachment were also explored. Participants were administered free recall and recognition tests after hearing CSA, negative, neutral, and positive Deese-Roediger-McDermott lists. In free recall, CSA and negative lists produced the most false memory. In sharp contrast, for recognition, CSA lists enjoyed the highest d′ scores. CSA-group adolescents who evinced greater posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms had higher rates of false memory compared to (a) non-CSA group adolescents with higher PTSD symptom scores (free recall), and (b) CSA-group adolescents with lower PTSD symptom scores (recognition). Regression analyses revealed that individuals with higher PTSD scores and greater fearful-avoidant attachment tendencies showed less proficient memory monitoring for CSA lists. Implications for trauma and memory development and for translational research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)423-438
Number of pages16
JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology
Volume23
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

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