Varieties of self-to-memory dynamics in autobiographical memory: the case of depression

Autobiographical memory and the self are closely connected. Autobiographical memories provide the information needed to form and maintain a stable self-model (memory-to-self). The self, in turn, modulates the construction of autobiographical memories during retrieval (self-to-memory). Past research has mainly focused on the former direction of influence. However, self-to-memory dynamics are being increasingly investigated both in neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. We contribute to this line of research in two ways. First, we elaborate on the self-memory system framework focusing on self-related processes involved in autobiographical memory retrieval. In particular, we distinguish between long-term and situationally activated aspects of the self, as well as between its representational and agentive aspects. Second, we propose a general framework for understanding self-to-memory dynamics in major depressive disorder based on four dimensions of the self: self-coherence (comprising self-coherence proper and self-congruence); self-valence; self-knowledge; and self-control. Based on the characteristics of the self in depression, we propose an outline of the self-to-memory dynamics in individuals with depression, drawing on existing empirical evidence. Additionally, we suggest that our framework, adjusted as needed, could be employed to describe self-to-memory dynamics in other mental health conditions.