Objective. Numerous studies have reported elevated levels of overgenerai autobiographical memory among depressed patients and also among those previously exposed to a traumatic event. No previous study has examined their joint association with overgenerai memory in a community sample, nor examined whether the associations are with both juvenile- and adult-onset depression.Methods. The current study examined the relative importance of exposure to childhood abuse and neglect in overgenerai memory of women with and without a history of major depressive disorder (MDD). Autobiographical memory test together with standardized interviews of childhood experiences and MDD were assessed in a risk-stratified community sample of 103 women aged 25-37.Results. Overgenerality in memory was associated with recalled childhood sexual abuse (CSA) but not other adversities. A history of CSA was predictive of overgenerai memory bias even in the absence of MDD. Our analyses indicated no significant association between a history of MDD and overgenerai memory in women who reported no CSA. However, overgenerai memory was increased in women who reported CSA and MDD with a significant difference found in relation to positive cues, the highest scores being seen among those with adult rather than juvenile-onset depression.Conclusions. The findings highlight the significance of CSA in predicting overgenerai memory, differential response in relation to positive and negative cue memories, and point to a specific role in the development of depression for overgenerai memory following CSA.
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