A narrative review of factors affecting memory confidence in the context of compulsive checking: A search for evidence-based potential therapeutic targets to improve memory confidence.

Abstract

Background and objectives: According to current models of compulsive checking, memory confidence greatly contributes to the development and maintenance of checking behaviours. However, how to intervene in memory confidence in an evidence-based manner has not yet been fully understood. Thus, the purpose of the current paper was to identify the factors influencing memory confidence through the review of experimental evidence.

Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, OpenGrey and ProQuest databases were searched by combining two sets of keywords related to memory confidence and checking. Our search yielded 24 experiments. Due to the considerable heterogeneity of the studies regarding questionnaires, tasks and paradigms used, data were synthesized using a narrative review approach.

Results: Six factors emerged from a thorough review of the literature, including negative memory belief, higher memory standard, inflated sense of responsibility, familiarization with the checked stimuli, number of checks and anxious valence of the checked stimuli.

Conclusion: The findings have important implications for the treatment of compulsive checking. We suggested general guidelines to translate these factors into a novel intervention to increase memory confidence in compulsive checkers.