On the factorial structure of autobiographical recollection

Autobiographical Recollection Test (ART; Berntsen et al., 2019) is a self-report measure of individual differences in autobiographical recollection that comprises seven subdimensions with sizeable overlaps. We examined the second-order and bifactor models of the ART scores using its Turkish translation (N = 716). Results showed that the ART scores are best represented with an incomplete bifactor model in which a general factor captures autobiographical recollection experience in general, and three specific factors capture additional individual differences in Reliving, Rehearsal, and Life-story relevance. By partitioning the variance between general and specific factors of autobiographical recollection, our analyses informed the factorial structure of the individuals` impressions about their autobiographical recollection as an individual difference variable and the correct use and interpretation of the ART total and subscale scores. Next, we examined the relations of the general and unique factors with episodic memory and depression scores (N = 524) and discussed the findings.