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. 2023 May 16:14:1133915.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1133915. eCollection 2023.

Processing negative autobiographical memories in a foreign language

Isabel Ortigosa-Beltrán  1 , Irene Jaén  2 , Azucena García-Palacios  2
Affiliations

Processing negative autobiographical memories in a foreign language

Isabel Ortigosa-Beltrán et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

The use of a foreign language has been introduced in the clinical setting as a form of emotional distance to help deal with negative experiences. However, the evidence of foreign language reducing emotionality during processing negative events is still scarce. This study aims to test whether the description and processing of a traumatic or highly emotional event in a foreign language could modulate the strength of the connection between traumatic symptomatology and emotional reaction. For this purpose, a sample of 128 healthy participants completed a series of questionnaires via an online platform. Firstly, their levels of distress, arousal and valence were assessed in their native language. Secondly, they were assigned to either the native language or the foreign language group and described a negative childhood event in the assigned language (English or Spanish), followed by five questions for processing the event. Next, their emotionality was assessed again in their native language. Finally, a questionnaire of traumatic stress symptoms and an avoidance scale were completed. Results showed that the relationship between traumatic symptomatology and emotionality was moderated by the language of processing the negative event. Specifically, traumatic symptomatology was more strongly associated with distress and arousal change when the processing task was performed in the native language. These findings suggest the influence of a foreign language on emotional reactivity when a negative experience is processed, which could be an essential tool in the treatment of disorders related to stress and trauma.

Keywords: autobiographical memories; bilingualism; emotion; foreign language; moderation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Procedure flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The moderation effect of language context in the relationship between post-traumatic symtomathology and changes on distress.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The moderation effect of language context in the relationship between post-traumatic symtomathology and changes on arousal.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The moderation effect of language context in the relationship between post-traumatic symtomathology and changes on emotional valence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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