Age-related differences in autobiographical memory consistency at the level of narrative detail

Prior research has demonstrated age-related differences in the stability of autobiographical memories throughout the lifespan, as measured by event-level recall. However, few have investigated possible age-related differences in autobiographical memory consistency in terms of the overlap of narrative detail. In this prospective study, 101 children (ages 4, 6, 8) and 35 adults provided memory narratives and recalled subsets of them after delays of 1–3 years. Recalled narratives were coded for overlap in narrative details for seven wh- categories (who, what-action, what-object, when, where, why, how-evaluation). Previous research has shown higher event-level recall for adults compared to children, as well as older compared to younger children. We expected overlap in narrative details to follow the same pattern. Linear mixed effects modeling revealed main effects of age group and word count, but not of delay or the interaction between age group and delay. Adults had higher scores for overlap in narrative details compared to children, whereas older and younger children did not differ. Results suggest children and adults are consistent in discussing the details of their autobiographical memories, even up to 3 years later, though children may not develop adult-like levels of overlap in narrative details until later in development.