Aleksandra Eriksen Isham

• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen & Dritschel, Barbara (2026). Sad reflections of positive past selves: reduced emotional benefit of positive central life events during depression. Current Psychology. ISSN 1046-1310. 45(5). doi: 10.1007/s12144-025-08922-5. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Positive central life events are positive past events that are perceived to be central to one’s identity. These events are thought to have important self-enhancing functions, such as promoting wellbeing, self-esteem, and positive emotions in healthy individuals. Research on how individuals with depression respond to positive central life events is scarce. However, evidence from studies examining responses to positive memories more broadly, suggests that individuals with depression respond differently to positive memories than individuals with no history of depression. These findings raise the question of whether individuals with depression may not benefit from positive central life events in the same way as healthy individuals. The current study aimed to address this question by investigating how individuals with past or current depression respond to positive central life events compared to individuals who have never been depressed. We asked never-depressed individuals, individuals with past depression, and individuals with current depression to report two positive life events that they viewed as central to their identity. Participants rated the intensity of happiness, intensity of sadness, brooding, and self-incongruency experienced in response to each event. Individuals with current depression reported less intense happiness, and greater self-incongruency when thinking about their positive central life events, compared to individuals without a depression history. Individuals with past depression did not differ from never-depressed individuals on any of the outcome measures. These findings suggest that dampened happiness and reduced ability to relate to positive central life events may reflect a concomitant phenomenon of current depressive episode rather than a lasting vulnerability in individuals with past depression. However, further research is needed to confirm this possibility. This includes studies investigating how individuals with past and current depression respond to positive central life events that are retrieved spontaneously in everyday life. Future studies should also address whether the impairment may become more persistent with a higher number of past depressive episodes. In addition, due to the largely female university sample in the present study, there is a need to confirm the results in non-students and other genders.

• Matsumoto, Noboru; Fujino, Masahiro; Sekine, Hana; Yoshida, Eri; Watson, Lynn Ann & Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Shinshu mindful study: can mindfulness training change the retrieval mode of autobiographical memory? Memory. ISSN 0965-8211. 34(4), p. 432–432. doi: 10.1080/09658211.2026.2628213. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Researchers have suggested that interoception can trigger the retrieval of autobiographical memories or influence the subjective sense of retrieval mode (e.g., involuntary or voluntary). This study examined whether four sessions of mindfulness training, aimed at improving interoceptive processing over eight weeks, can alter autobiographical memory retrieval and perceived retrieval mode in a community sample. 26 participants in the mindfulness group and 30 participants in the waitlist control group completed the study (Mage = 34.80 ± 12.68). In the mindfulness group, participants showed a decrease in perceived retrieval suddenness and an increase in perceived retrieval effort for involuntary memories, and an increase in perceived generative retrieval for voluntary memories. Retrieval latency, frequency, and memory specificity did not change with training. Although heart rate acceleration was observed immediately before memory responses judged as being directly retrieved, this physiological response remained unchanged with training. Reported interoceptive sensibility and dispositional mindfulness increased significantly in the mindfulness group over time, but these changes did not predict changes in retrieval mode variables. The results suggest that mindfulness training leads to more deliberate, effortful memory retrieval, but changes in interoceptive processing may not support changes in retrieval. Clinical implications for reducing intrusive memory and its emotional impact are discussed.

• Jelin, Elma; Ellingsen-Dalskau, Lina Harvold; Nyland, Camilla Skau; Hanssen-Bauer, Ketil; Siqveland, Johan & Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Patient experience measurement in mental health and substance dependence inpatient care: development of short versions of validated questionnaires through importance ranking and psychometric testing. Health Services & Outcomes Research Methodology. ISSN 1387-3741. p. 1–17. doi: 10.1007/s10742-026-00374-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Background High-quality, patient-centred mental health and substance dependence care relies on robust Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs). Long questionnaires may burden patients and reduce response rates, particularly in vulnerable populations. In Norway, the Psychiatric Inpatient Patient Experience Questionnaire (PIPEQ-CEM) and the Patient Experiences Questionnaire for Interdisciplinary Treatment for Substance Dependence (PEQ-ITSD–CEM) are used to assess inpatient experiences. With the transition to continuous electronic data collection, there is an increasing need for shorter, psychometrically robust, and stakeholderMethods-informed versions of these questionnaires to improve feasibility and sustainability. Methods A three-phase mixed-methods approach was employed to develop short versions: (1) cognitive interviews with patients and health care workers to test ranking and rating exercises, (2) a main survey using ranking method to assess item importance across domains, and (3) an expert-panel consensus meeting to finalize item selection, balancing statistical robustness, patient-centred relevance, and content coverage. Results Ranking was cognitively more demanding, but more efficient for identifying priority items. In the main survey, eighty-eight patients and 104 health care workers participated, and consistency in prioritized items was found across groups. Short versions of PIPEQ-CEM and PEQ-ITSD–CEM each included seven items, representing key dimensions of care. The expert-panel-based selection of final items was informed by psychometric evaluation, stakeholder input, and findings from previous national surveys. Conclusion The shortened versions of PIPEQ-CEM and PEQ-ITSD–CEM are concise, psychometrically robust, and capture key aspects of patient experience prioritized by both patients and health care workers. They offer a practical tool for monitoring and improving service quality, though further validation in diverse clinical and cultural contexts is recommended.

• Cairns, P.; Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen & Zachariae, R. (2024). The association between empathy and burnout in medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medical Education. 24(1). doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-05625-6. Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen; Palacio-Gonzalez, Adriana del & Dritschel, Barbara (2022). The Effects of an Online Mindfulness Intervention on Emotion Regulation upon Autobiographical Memory Retrieval in Depression Remission: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Mindfulness. ISSN 1868-8527. doi: 10.1007/s12671-022-01983-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives: Maladaptive emotional processing of autobiographical memories is a key feature of depression that may persist during depressive remission. The primary objective of the present study was to assess the effects of an online mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention on emotion regulation upon everyday autobiographical memory retrieval in individuals with remitted depression. Methods: We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial in which students (76.4% female; mean age 22.26) with remitted depression were allocated to an 8-week online MBSR program (n = 28) or a waitlist-control condition (n = 27). The primary outcome was self-reported employment of five emotion regulation strategies and non-reactivity upon everyday retrieval of involuntary and voluntary autobiographical memories recorded in a memory diary and was measured at baseline and approximately 11 weeks postrandomization. Intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were performed. Results: Participants in the MBSR condition showed increases in non-reactivity irrespective of memory retrieval mode (ITT: d = 1.04, p = .010; PP: d = 1.58, p = .015), and increased use of cognitive reappraisal in response to involuntary memories (ITT: d = 0.41, p = .051; PP: d =  − 0.62, p = .032) compared to the waitlist-control condition. Analyses of secondary outcomes showed additional effects for trait mindfulness and trait cognitive reappraisal, as well as depression symptoms and trait thought suppression. Conclusion: These results provide preliminary evidence for the utility of using an online mindfulness program for improving emotion regulation upon autobiographical memory retrieval during depression remission. Retrospective Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05121116.

• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen; Watson, Lynn Ann & Dritschel, Barbara (2022). Sad reflections of happy times: depression vulnerability and experiences of sadness and happiness upon retrieval of positive autobiographical memories. Memory. ISSN 0965-8211. doi: 10.1080/09658211.2022.2105364. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Instructed retrieval of positive autobiographical memories typically improves mood for healthy individuals, but not always for depressed individuals. No mood improvement may occur when depressed individuals retrieve positive memories that are self-incongruent, or when they ruminate upon positive memory retrieval. Mindfulness is associated with lower self-incongruency and rumination. The present study examined whether recurrent depression predicted emotional experience upon involuntary and voluntary retrieval of positive memories, and whether recurrent depression and trait mindfulness were associated with emotional experience upon positive memory retrieval through state rumination and self-incongruency. Recurrently and never-depressed individuals completed measures of depression, trait mindfulness, and a diary for reporting on everyday positive memories. Recurrently depressed individuals reported diminished happiness upon retrieving involuntary and voluntary positive memories compared to never-depressed individuals; and greater sadness upon involuntary positive memory retrieval, independent of current depression. Recurrent depression was associated with diminished happiness upon involuntary memory retrieval and greater sadness upon involuntary and voluntary positive memory retrieval, through state brooding, self-incongruency, or both. Higher trait mindfulness was associated with lower sadness upon involuntary and voluntary positive memory retrieval through state brooding and reflection. These findings highlight potential mechanisms in the relationship between depression vulnerability and emotional processing of positive autobiographical memories.

• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen; Palacio-Gonzalez, Adriana del & Dritschel, Barbara (2020). Trait Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation upon Autobiographical Memory Retrieval during Depression Remission. Mindfulness. ISSN 1868-8527. 11, p. 2828–2840. doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01494-4. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives: Depression is associated with both emotion dysregulation upon retrieval of autobiographical memories and low trait mindfulness. The present study raised the question of whether these processes are related to each other and whether they may reflect a cognitive-affective vulnerability in individuals at risk of depression. The study examined emotion regulation in response to involuntary and voluntary autobiographical memories during depression remission and explored how trait mindfulness relates to such emotion regulation. Methods: The study employed a naturalistic design in which individuals with remitted depression (n = 35) and individuals with no history of depression (n = 32) completed a trait mindfulness measure and a structured memory diary where they rated state use of five emotion regulation strategies upon involuntary and voluntary autobiographical memory retrieval. Results: Individuals with remitted depression reported heightened brooding in response to autobiographical memories when memory retrieval occurred involuntarily, and trait mindfulness was low. Depression remission and higher trait mindfulness were independently associated with greater cognitive reappraisal efforts upon involuntary retrieval of autobiographical memories. Higher trait mindfulness predicted less memory suppression, irrespective of depression history and memory retrieval mode. Conclusions: The findings suggest a vulnerability in emotional processing of autobiographical memories during depression remission that is dependent on mindfulness skill level and how memories come to mind.

• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2019). Dealing with the issue of student stress: Is mindfulness a solution? Psychology Postgraduate Affairs Group Quarterly (PsyPAG Quarterly). ISSN 1746-6016. Full text in Research Archive

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• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen & Lorentzen, Kari Evelin Arellano (2025). Ansattes erfaringer med tvang. In Olesen, Esben Søndergaard Bruun; Wiik, Cornelia H.B. & Ødegaard, Anna (Ed.), Tvang og grenser i barne- og ungdomspsykiatrien. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215067346. p. 67–79. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Når barn og unge blir utsatt for tvang i psykisk helsevern, er det ofte med mål om å beskytte og hjelpe. Men hvordan oppleves det å bli holdt fast, stengt inne eller tvunget til å spise? Tvang og grenser i barne- og ungdomspsykiatrien tar leseren med inn i barne- og ungdomspsykiatriens mest krevende rom - der omsorg, makt og grenser møtes. Gjennom sterke fortellinger fra unge med egne erfaringer, refleksjoner fra ansatte i helsevesenet og innsiktsfull fagkunnskap utforsker boken hvordan tvang brukes, forstås og oppleves. Den stiller de vanskelige spørsmålene: Når er tvang nødvendig? Når er den lovlig? Og hvordan kan vi bedre forstå og ivareta de som rammes? Boken er skrevet som en del av et forskningsprosjekt ledet av Nordlandsforskning i samarbeid med Mental Helse Ungdom og er et viktig bidrag til åpenhet og kunnskap om psykisk helse og barns rettigheter. Selv om tvang er tillatt ved 18 avdelinger i Norge, finnes det lite forskning på feltet. Boken bidrar med ny kunnskap og skal gjøre informasjon om tvang lett tilgjengelig og forståelig - særlig for barn og unge, men også for studenter, fagfolk, pårørende og alle som vil forstå mer om bruk av tvang i psykisk helsevern.

• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen; Watson, Lynn Ann; Bohn, Annette; Jørgensen, Carsten René & Mehlum, Lars (2025). Narrativ identitet og BPD-trekk, selvskade og suicidalitet i ungdomsårene. Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen; Watson, Lynn Ann; Sørensen, Alexander Leonard Birk; Bohn, Annette; Jørgensen, Carsten René & Mehlum, Lars (2025). Disruptions in narrative identity and vulnerability for BPD, self-harm, and suicidality during adolescence: are they associated? Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen; Sørensen, Alexander Leonard Birk; Mehlum, Lars; Bohn, Annette; Jørgensen, Carsten René & Watson, Lynn Ann (2025). Involuntary autobiographical memories: are they linked to BPD, self-harm, and suicide vulnerability in adolescents? Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen; Watson, Lynn Ann; Bohn, Annette; Jørgensen, Carsten René & Mehlum, Lars (2025). Involuntary autobiographical memories: a potential vulnerability factor for the emergence of BPD during adolescence? Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2025). Borderline Personality Disorder: Memory and Identity in Adolescence (BOLD MINDS). Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2025). Borderline Personality Disorder and Autobiographical Memory: Do memories play a role in the development of borderline personality disorder? doi: https:/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/days-gone-by/202507/borderline-personality-disorder-and-autobiographical-memory. Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2025). Emosjonelt ustabil personlighetsforstyrrelse, villet egenskade og suicidalitet i ungdomsårene: Spiller selvbiografisk hukommelse en rolle? Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. 30(1), p. 78–83. doi: 10.5617/suicidologi.12358. Full text in Research Archive
• Jelin, Elma; Ellingsen-Dalskau, Lina Harvold; Hanssen-Bauer, Ketil; Siqveland, Johan; Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen & Nyland, Camilla Skau [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Patient Experience Measurement in Mental Health and Substance Dependence inpatient care: Development of Short Versions of Validated Questionnaires Through Importance Ranking and Psychometric testing. Full text in Research Archive
• Iversen, Hilde Karin Hestad; Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg; Nyland, Camilla Skau; Skudal, Kjersti Eeg; Hanssen-Bauer, Ketil & Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2025). Towards more inclusive patient experience surveys: Applying a standardised TRAPD-based approach for translating and adapting measures for Polish-speaking inpatients in psychiatric and substance dependence care in Norway (PRQMs-MAS*). Full text in Research Archive
• Iversen, Hilde Karin Hestad; Ellingsen-Dalskau, Lina Harvold; Paulsrud, Inger Opedal; Haugum, Mona; Jelin, Elma & Bjertnæs, Øyvind Andresen [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2024). Patient-Reported Quality of Mental Health and Addiction Services: A longitudinal Study on Specialist and Primary Care in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Jelin, Elma; Ellingsen-Dalskau, Lina Harvold; Hanssen-Bauer, Ketil; Siqveland, Johan; Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen & Nyland, Camilla Skau [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Patient and Health Care Workers' Perspectives in Mental Health and Substance Dependence Care: The Short-Form Development of the PIPEQ-CEM* and the PEQ-ITSD – CEM** (PRQMs-MAS***). Full text in Research Archive
• Iversen, Hilde Karin Hestad; Ellingsen-Dalskau, Lina Harvold; Skudal, Kjersti Eeg; Aasgaard, Karoline; Linnemørken, Lene Therese Bergerud & Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2023). A new generation of Patient-Reported Quality Measurements in Mental health and Addiction Services (PRQMs-MAS). Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen; Løvhaug, Lars; Siqveland, Johan & Kvamsdahl, Marianne Sofie (2023). Kapasiteten for døgnbehandling må forbedres i den norske akuttpsykiatrien. Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2022). Involuntary Memories and Depression. Psychologytoday.com. Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2022). When Happy Memories Make Us Sad. Psychologytoday.com. Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2022). The Benefits of Mindfulness When Thinking About Past Events. Psychologytoday.com. Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2021). The Vicious Circle of Depressed Mood and Negative Memories. Psychologytoday.com. Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2021). When Our Rose-Tinted View Fades: 4 ways that depression alters how people view their past. Psychologytoday.com. Full text in Research Archive
• Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen (2020). Staying calm in a stressful student life: The benefits of mindfulness. MAZE. 1, p. 18–19. Full text in Research Archive
• Vittersø, Axel; Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen; Siqveland, Johan & Hanssen-Bauer, Ketil (2023). Hvorfor er det økt belegg på Akuttpsykiatrisk avdeling på Ahus? Evalueringsrapport. Ahus. Full text in Research Archive
• Løvhaug, Lars; Hadzic, Dzemal; Johan, Siqveland; Isham, Aleksandra Eriksen & Marianne, Kvamsdahl (2022). Statusrapport Akuttpsykiatri 2021. Akuttnettverket. Full text in Research Archive

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