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Characteristics, context and consequences of memory recovery among adults in therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Bernice Andrews ,
Chris R. Brewin ,
Jennifer Ochera ,
John Morton ,
Debra A. Bekerian ,
Graham M. Davies  and
Phil Mollon
Bernice Andrews*
Affiliation:
Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey
Chris R. Brewin
Affiliation:
Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey
Jennifer Ochera
Affiliation:
Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey
John Morton
Affiliation:
MRC Cognitive Development Unit, London
Debra A. Bekerian
Affiliation:
MRC Applied Psychology Unit, Cambridge
Graham M. Davies
Affiliation:
University of Leicester, Leicester
Phil Mollon
Affiliation:
Lister Hospital, Stevenage
*
Bernice Andrews, Department of Psychology. Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
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Abstract

Background

There are concerns that memories recovered during therapy are likely to be the result of inappropriate therapeutic techniques.

Aims

To investigate systematically these concerns.

Method

One-hundred and eight therapists provided information on all clients with recovered memories seen in the past three years, and were interviewed in detail on up to three such clients.

Results

Of a total of 690 clients, therapists reported that 65% recalled child sexual abuse and 35% recalled other traumas, 32% started recovering memories before entering therapy According to therapists' accounts, among the 236 detailed client cases very few appeared improbable and corroboration was reported in 41%. Techniques to aid recall were used in 42%, but only in 22% were they used before memory recovery started.

Conclusions

Some of the data are consistent with memories being of iatrogenic origin, but other data clearly point to the need for additional explanations.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 175 , Issue 2 , August 1999 , pp. 141 - 146
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

∗

A fuller version of this paper is available on request from the first author.

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