The role of the personal relevance of images in retrieving autobiographical memories for emotion regulation: A randomized controlled trial study

Little is known about what types of positive specific autobiographical memory-inducing images are most effective in regulating emotions. This study analyses the effectiveness of personal relevance of images associated with specific positive autobiographical memories as a method of emotional regulation. The sample comprised 263 participants (179 women), divided into a group of young adults (N = 139) aged 18–28 years and a group of older persons (N = 124) aged 65 years and over. In a randomized controlled trial study, participants were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions based on the type of image used (images of International Affective Picture System (IAPS), images of places and personal photographs). Negative mood was induced by viewing a film clip. Positive mood induction was subsequently conducted through the presentation of six images (according to the group) associated with specific positive autobiographical memories. Changes in mood state were measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) before and after each induction. SPSS 28.0 (IBM) statistical software was used for the data analysis. The positive mood induction procedure repaired participants’ mood state, increasing positive affect and decreasing negative affect. The older adults showed a greater increase in positive affect while their younger counterparts recorded a greater decrease in negative affect. The three types of images were equally effective in augmenting positive affect. Regarding the reduction in negative affect, the personal photographs scored highest in the group of young adults, while, in the older group, the IAPS images were the most effective. The findings of this study show that using images associated with positive specific autobiographical memories is an effective mood induction method. Consequently, the use of such images might be effective in interventions designed to enhance emotion regulation and reduce depressive symptomatology.