Psychology

Specific topics, specific symptoms: linking the content of recurrent involuntary memories to mental health using computational text analysis

R. C. Yeung and M. A. Fernandes

This research by Ryan C. Yeung and Myra A. Fernandes explores the intriguing connections between recurrent involuntary autobiographical memories and mental health. Delving into data from over 6,000 undergraduates, the study reveals how specific memories linked to negative experiences, like past relationships and trauma, correlate with various mental health disorders. Discover how the content of these memories holds key insights into our psychological well-being.

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Abstract

This research investigates the relationship between the content of recurrent involuntary autobiographical memories (IAMs) and mental health. Using data from 6187 undergraduates, the study employed computational text analysis (structural topic modeling) to identify coherent topics within recurrent IAM descriptions. Specific topics, such as "Negative past relationships" and "Abuse and trauma," were uniquely linked to symptoms of various mental health disorders (depression, PTSD, social anxiety, general anxiety), even after controlling for the memories' self-reported valence. The findings suggest that while negative recurrent IAMs are transdiagnostic, their content is unique across different mental health concerns.

Publisher

npj Mental Health Research

Published On

Dec 18, 2023

Authors

Ryan C. Yeung, Myra A. Fernandes

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