Abstract
Recent theories of Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) suggest that memory dysregulation
plays a crucial role in symptom maintenance. How-
ever, it is not clear which specific memory systems are
involved in PTSD. In this study we used a visual
implicit memory paradigm to examine memory bias in
individuals with PTSD symptoms. Three hundred
nineteen participants provided self-report measures
of PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms. Next they
completed a visual clarity-rating task (Amir et al.
Cognition and Emotion 17(4):567–583, 2003) to assess
implicit memory for three picture types (trauma-
relevant, neutral, and negative). Results revealed that
participants with PTSD symptoms had greater implicit
memory for negative and trauma-relevant pictures
compared to neutral pictures. Traumatized individuals
without PTSD symptoms showed greater implicit
memory for negative pictures relative to trauma and
neutral pictures. This pattern of results suggests that
implicit memory bias for trauma-relevant and negative
visual information may be an important factor in the
maintenance of PTSD symptoms