Outline of proposed mechanisms by which features of AM retrieval come to be compromised.
depression, depressed, OGM
POSITIVE
Rumination about self-relevant, semantically related information, and self-discrepant thinking are proposed to compromise the search for a specific memory and influence the remoteness, valence, and vantage perspective of the memory. Difficulty recalling specific memories, biases for retrieving more remote memories, using the observer perspective, and recalling negative memories then leads to emotion dysregulation, for example. LKM is proposed to reduce state rumination, self-discrepant thinking, and emotion dysregulation, thereby influencing features of AM retrieval.Kindness based practices, such as LKM, have further been shown to enhance emotion regulation and higher-level perspective-taking [LKM might also impact OGM through its impact on neurobiological mechanisms underpinning OGM. For example, low tryptophan (an essential amino acid required for the production of serotonin) has been identified as a possible neurobiological mechanism underlying OGM as low-dose tryptophan depletion reduced output of specific AM when remitted depressed women were asked to retrieve specific AM to negative cue words [Tryptophan’s primary catabolic route has been identified to be the kynurenine system [We therefore used two groups with remitted depression to explore whether a brief LKM could influence AM specificity, remoteness, valence, and vantage perspective by reducing self-discrepancies. LKM is broadly accessible in that individuals do not need to leave their home to practice, and the meditation can be completed within ten minutes. An active control colouring group was also used to control for the possibility that effects of LKM might be due to distraction. Distraction has been shown to effectively reduce sad mood in both current and remitted depressed samples [In a remitted depressed sample, we used positive cue words in the AMT with an aim to examine the effects of LKM on four features of AM retrieval: specificity, remoteness, valence, and vantage perspective. We aimed to increase retrieval of specific, positive, and field memories in remitted depression after a four-week LKM intervention. Positive cue words were used with an intention to elicit a greater magnitude of impact of self-discrepancies and because vantage perspective research has indicated a greater influence on positive memories [It was hypothesised that in comparison to the colouring group, the LKM group would show an increase in AM specificity across both time conditions (free-recall and remote conditions). Moreover, an interaction was expected where specificity would increase more in remote memories in the LKM group. Literature has demonstrated that remote memories tend to be more overgeneral than recent memories [