A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Recall Conditions on Subjective Experience of Arousal During Repeated Recall of Aversive Memories

This meta-analysis examined the effects of repeated recall of aversive memories on subjective arousal. We aim to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying recall and how these are reflected in different subjective measures of arousal, as research has often treated this as a control condition or analogous to IE. The primary aim was to test whether recall contains an active component, reflected in changes in subjective ratings from pre- to post-test. The secondary aim was to investigate whether these effects varied according to the type of subjective measure used. Thirty laboratory studies with healthy adults were included. Studies assessed changes in self-reported emotionality, subjective units of distress (SUD), or vividness using recall conditions. Three multilevel meta-regression analyses were conducted to calculate overall effects and to test recall condition and outcome type as moderators. The results showed that repeated recall significantly influenced subjective...Show moreThis meta-analysis examined the effects of repeated recall of aversive memories on subjective arousal. We aim to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying recall and how these are reflected in different subjective measures of arousal, as research has often treated this as a control condition or analogous to IE. The primary aim was to test whether recall contains an active component, reflected in changes in subjective ratings from pre- to post-test. The secondary aim was to investigate whether these effects varied according to the type of subjective measure used. Thirty laboratory studies with healthy adults were included. Studies assessed changes in self-reported emotionality, subjective units of distress (SUD), or vividness using recall conditions. Three multilevel meta-regression analyses were conducted to calculate overall effects and to test recall condition and outcome type as moderators. The results showed that repeated recall significantly influenced subjective ratings. Recall condition did not significantly moderate this effect. Outcome type significantly moderated recall effects, with significant changes observed for emotionality and SUD, but it was not significant for vividness. These findings could reflect general memory reactivation processes, such as reconsolidation or exposure-related learning. Overall, these findings indicate that repeated recall influences changes in the subjective experience of arousal and that these changes may differ across outcome measures. Future studies should include no-recall conditions to improve the interpretation of recall effects.Show less

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A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Recall Conditions on Subjective Experience of Arousal During Repeated Recall of Aversive Memories