Trauma Memory Quality: Contributing Factors and Associations with Post-Trauma Mental Health

Burns, Maya Elise (2026) Trauma Memory Quality: Contributing Factors and Associations with Post-Trauma Mental Health. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Trauma exposure is common across the lifespan, with a significant minority of individuals going on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Central to the aetiology of PTSD are memories characterised by disorganisation, sensory intensity and ‘here-and-now’ reliving. Whilst cognitive models of PTSD posit that disrupted peri-traumatic cognitive processing underpins the formation of these memory qualities, empirical research exploring this is limited. Furthermore, whilst around half of individuals with PTSD experience comorbid depression, research is yet to synthesise the evidence to determine if the qualities of trauma memories may also be a maintaining factor in post-trauma depression.

This portfolio presents a meta-analysis exploring the strength of the relationship between trauma memory qualities and both PTSD and depression symptoms post-trauma. The empirical paper goes on to explore the pre-, peri- and post-trauma factors that predict problematic trauma memory qualities, and their subsequent impact on PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents following single-event trauma.

The meta-analysis demonstrated a medium estimated effect size for the relationship between trauma memory qualities and both PTSD and depression symptoms across the lifespan. The empirical paper identified that being female, being assaulted, not being seen in resus and experiencing high levels of peri-traumatic pain and panic predicted more problematic trauma memory qualities. Trauma memory qualities were also found to partially explain the association between cognitive processing during the trauma and later PTSD symptoms.

The results suggest that trauma memory qualities are relevant to the aetiology of PTSD and depression symptoms post-trauma. Early screening for the risk factors associated with problematic trauma memory qualities is essential in ensuring preventative interventions can be put in place to mitigate against subsequent PTSD symptoms. Further research on whether these relationships apply to those who have experienced more long-term chronic forms of trauma is warranted.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Amy Millward-Doherty
Date Deposited:	13 Nov 2026 14:45
Last Modified:	13 Nov 2026 14:45
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/105112
DOI:

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