Forgetting to Remember: The Impact of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder on Prospective and Retrospective Memory Performance

Abstract

Abstract Objective We examined the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on both prospective (PM) and retrospective (RM) memory performance among a cross-sectional veteran sample. Method Data from tests of PM/RM memory and PTSD, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance symptoms were examined among a prospectively recruited sample of 26 veterans with confirmed PTSD (PTSD+) and 26 well-matched, combat-exposed controls who did not meet criteria for PTSD (PTSD−). Results Small-to-moderate negative correlations emerged between PTSD symptom severity, visuospatial RM and some aspects of PM; general anxiety correlated more strongly with memory. The PTSD+ group demonstrated significantly worse, but still average visuospatial RM; differences in PM were nonsignificant between groups. Regression analyses implicated generalized anxiety, but not other psychiatric symptomology, as significant contributors to all memory performances. Conclusions Minimal memory differences were found between veterans with and without PTSD. PM/RM memory performance was better explained by generalized anxiety rather that PTSD-specific symptoms.