Autobiographical Memory performance and PTSD Symptoms in Survivors of Cancer

DSM-IV-TR recognized that it is possible for individuals to receive a PTSD diagnosis following experiencing life threatening illness including cancer. This development has raised some questions about the nature of the stressor, and psychiatric symptoms experienced such as memory performance. The current study examines PTSD symptoms and autobiographical memory among survivors of cancer. Participants in this study included 26 cancer survivors, who had a history of cancer, but were no longer subject to treatment and were matched by sex, age, IQ, and economic status with 26 healthy adults. Both groups were administered the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), Spielberger’s State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), WAIS-R, and the Autobiographical Memory Interview (AMI). The results indicated higher PTSD symptoms, depression and anxiety among cancer survivors. The findings also showed that the personal semantic memory scores were lower in childhood and early adult stages among cancer survivors comparing with normal control participants.