Tammy A Marche1, Jennifer L Briere2, Carl L von Baeyer2. 1. Department of Psychology, Arts, and Science, University of Saskatchewan tmarche@stmcollege.ca. 2. Department of Psychology, Arts, and Science, University of Saskatchewan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Given that forgetting negative experiences can help children cope with these experiences, we examined their ability to forget negative aspects of painful events. METHODS: 86 children aged 7-15 years participated in a retrieval-induced forgetting task whereby they repeatedly retrieved positive details of a physically painful experience, and an experimental pain task (cold-pressor task). RESULTS: Repeatedly retrieving positive details of a prior pain experience produced forgetting of the negative aspects of that experience. Pain-related self-efficacy predicted retrieval-induced forgetting; children with a poorer belief in their ability to cope with pain experienced less forgetting. Children who had a more difficult time forgetting prior negative experiences were more anxious about the pain task and reported higher pain thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding children's memory for painful experiences may help improve their pain management and coping ability.
OBJECTIVE: Given that forgetting negative experiences can help children cope with these experiences, we examined their ability to forget negative aspects of painful events. METHODS: 86 children aged 7-15 years participated in a retrieval-induced forgetting task whereby they repeatedly retrieved positive details of a physically painful experience, and an experimental pain task (cold-pressor task). RESULTS: Repeatedly retrieving positive details of a prior pain experience produced forgetting of the negative aspects of that experience. Pain-related self-efficacy predicted retrieval-induced forgetting; children with a poorer belief in their ability to cope with pain experienced less forgetting. Children who had a more difficult time forgetting prior negative experiences were more anxious about the pain task and reported higher pain thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding children's memory for painful experiences may help improve their pain management and coping ability.
Authors: Patricia A McGrath; Cheryl E Seifert; Kathy N Speechley; John C Booth; Larry Stitt; Margaret C Gibson Journal: Pain Date: 1996-03 Impact factor: 6.961