The mediating role of autobiographical memory functions in the relationship between childhood traumas and autobiographical memory. Childhood traumas and autobiographical memories characteristics

The main aim of this study was to examine relationships between childhood traumas, autobiographical memory functions and positive, negative childhood memory details. The sample of this study included 169 undergraduate students from Ankara University. The Demographic Information Form, Autobiographical Memory Characteristics Questionnaire, Autobiographical Memory Functions Questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire were administered to the participants. The relationships between childhood traumas, autobiographical memory functions and positive, negative autobiographical memory details were examined through path analysis and the mediation in the path model was examined through Bootstrapping method. The findings indicated that childhood traumas predicted positively facing with the past and negatively the mood regulation. Facing with the past predicted negative childhood memory details; mood regulation predicted positive childhood memory details. In addition, facing with the past and mood regulation functions mediated the relationships between childhood traumas and positive, negative childhood memory details. This study seems important in terms of revealing that autobiographical memory functions played a critical role in the relationships between childhood traumas and autobiographical memory details.