Metamemory in multiple sclerosis: Relationship to depression, depressive attitudes, and executive functioning

Metamemory, or one's self-reported memory ability, has been researched extensively; however, few studies have examined it in multiple sclerosis (MS). Although depression and executive functioning impairment have been associated with metamemory reports in previous research, no study had examined various contributors to metamemory collectively in an MS patient sample, and no previous study had examined the role of depressive attitudes/beliefs on metamemory. This study was designed to test the possibility that depression, depressive attitudes about oneself and one's illness, and executive functioning impairment all impact metamemory reports in MS. Forty-eight MS patients completed a self-report metamemory questionnaire and were administered a variety of measures assessing depression, depressive attitudes, and executive functioning. Results indicated that different aspects of metamemory were associated with depression, depressive attitudes, and executive functioning. A structural equation modeling analysis revealed that dysfunctional depressive attitudes may mediate the relationship between one aspect of metamemory (forgetting while reading) and both executive functions and depression. These findings have implications not only for a better understanding of metamemory in MS, but also for more effective treatment and rehabilitation of MS patients.