Reconstructive memory bias in recall of neuropsychological symptomatology.

Subjective recall of symptoms among nonlitigants with closed-head and back injuries and non-injured participants with high and low levels of life stressors was evaluated. All participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory, and a symptom checklist. Recall of symptoms by participants with closed-head and back injuries was consistent with perceptions of being worse now than they were before their injuries. The results further suggest that these participants tend to overestimate the actual degree of change that has taken place by recalling fewer pre-injury symptoms than control participants. In addition, participants with closed-head injuries, but not with back injuries, showed significantly higher levels of symptom endorsement now than controls.