Abstract

This paper presents empirical study supporting the hypothesis that autobiographical memory may serve as a compensation resource for destructive transformation of self-identity in terms of intrapersonal conflict in alcoholism. 51 non-amnestic alcoholics abstinent from alcohol participated in the study.Participants got a standard piece of paper with a horizontal arrow line on it with instruction to consider this line as it was representing the entire lives (Life Line), to locate the most important and memorable events around the timeline, to date the events and to indicate valance and intensity of emotion associated with each recalled event by distance from the arrow top (positive) to its bottom (negative). Three findings relevant to the goal of achievement an acceptable level of self-confidence by transformation of autobiographical memory were identified. First, there was 30% increase number of events on Life Line in comparison to healthy controls (n=92). We explained the result as compensatory mechanism balancing negative experiences of being alcoholic by positive memories to maintain positivity index close to controls. Second, there was a shift of memories to the left part of Life Line. That means that alcoholics both started and finished their Life Lines from earlier memories than controls. We refer this finding to attempt to keep a normal subjective duration of event filled part of past. Third, we found that in alcoholics there was no reminiscence bump in time distribution of memories. In our opinion, it reflects the fact of incomplete acquisition of cultural life script structure.