Relation of positive memory recall count and accessibility with post-trauma mental health

Moderating effects of dysregulation and fear of positive emotions on the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and positive memory count

“…The current study aimed to clarify the well‐documented relationship between PTSD severity and positive memory count (Bryant et al, 2007; Contractor et al, 2018, 2019; Contractor, Banducci, et al, 2020; Hauer et al, 2009; McNally et al, 1994; Wingenfeld et al, 2013) by examining the potential influence of both positive emotion dysregulation and fear of positive emotions. For correlation analyses, higher levels of both positive emotion dysregulation (i.e., greater nonacceptance of positive emotions, and more difficulties engaging in goal‐directed behaviors and controlling impulsive behaviors when experiencing positive emotions) and fear of positive emotions were significantly associated with greater PTSD severity and fewer specific positive memories.…”

“…Emerging evidence indicates that the etiology and exacerbation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity is related to number and phenomenological characteristics of positive memories (i.e., dimensions of memories such as sensory details facilitating reliving of the event; Sutin & Robins, 2007; see Contractor, Banducci, Dolan, Keegan, & Weiss, 2019; Contractor, Banducci, Jin, Keegan, & Weiss, 2020; Hauer, Wessel, Engelhard, Peeters, & Dalgleish, 2009; Wingenfeld et al, 2013). Important variables to consider in this regard are positive emotion dysregulation (i.e., nonacceptance of positive emotions, difficulties engaging in goal‐directed behaviors when experiencing positive emotions, and difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors when experiencing positive emotions) and fear of positive emotions.…”

Positive Internal Experiences in PTSD Interventions: A Critical Review

“…Positive internal experiences, for the purposes of the current review, reference subjective experiences of positively-valenced and pleasant memories, cognitions, and emotions. Evidence indicates that trauma/PTSD severity is associated with (1) deficits in positive memory recall, access, and other processes (Contractor, Banducci, et al, 2019; Contractor, Banducci, et al, 2020; Harvey et al, 1998; McNally et al, 1995; Megías et al, 2007; Sutherland & Bryant, 2005); (2) a predominance of negative and reduced positive cognitions (Berntsen & Rubin, 2006; Foa & Kozak, 1986; Janoff-Bulman, 1992) worsened by attentional biases toward negative information/memories (Aupperle et al, 2012; Fani et al, 2012; McNally et al, 1995) and rumination on negative memories prompted by trauma reminders (Ehlers & Clark, 2000); and (3) difficulties experiencing, expressing, and/or regulating intense positive emotions (Litz et al, 2000; Weiss, Contractor, Forkus, et al, 2020; Weiss, Contractor, Raudales, et al, 2020; Weiss et al, 2018; Weiss, Nelson, et al, 2019). Indeed, disturbances in positive internal experiences are at least one of the diagnostic symptoms (D7) of PTSD’s negative alterations in cognitions and mood cluster (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).…”

Moderating effects of sleep difficulties on relations between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and positive memory count

“…Specifically, we expected stronger and significant negative associations between PTSD symptom severity and specific positive memory count at higher (vs. lower) levels of sleep difficulties (i.e., among individuals reporting shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality). As exploratory analyses, we examined study research questions for each PTSD symptom cluster such as intrusions, avoidance, NACM, AAR drawing from the limited research indicating differential relations of PTSD symptom clusters with positive memory retrieval (Contractor et al, 2019; Contractor, Greene, et al, 2020). Evidence suggests significant relations of age, gender, and depression with PTSD (Norris et al, 2002; Rytwinski et al, 2013; Tolin & Breslau, 2007), sleep difficulties (Grandner et al, 2012; Krishnan & Collop, 2006; Tsuno et al, 2005), and positive memory retrieval (Bryant et al, 2007; Dijkstra & Kaup, 2005; Seidlitz & Diener, 1998).…”