Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-01T09:10:47.415Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Reminiscence and mental health: a review of recent progress in theory, research and interventions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2010

GERBEN J. WESTERHOF ,
ERNST BOHLMEIJER  and
JEFFREY DEAN WEBSTER
GERBEN J. WESTERHOF*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Communication of Health and Risk, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
ERNST BOHLMEIJER
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Communication of Health and Risk, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
JEFFREY DEAN WEBSTER
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Langara College, Vancouver, Canada.
*
Address for correspondence: Gerben J. Westerhof, Psychology and Communication of Health and Risk, University of Twente, POBox 217, 7500AEEnschede, The Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This article explores recent progress in theory, research and practical applications of reminiscence. It first describes the evidence for reminiscence as a naturally occurring process, and discusses the different functions of reminiscence and their relationships with mental health and lifespan processes. Three basic types of reminiscence that relate to mental health are specified: conversations about autobiographical memories and the use of personal recollections to teach and inform others have social functions; positive functions for the self include the integration of memories into identity, recollections of past problem-solving behaviours, and the use of memories to prepare for one's own death; negative functions for the self are the use of past memories to reduce boredom, to revive bitterness, or to maintain intimacy with deceased persons. It is proposed that in interventions the three types are addressed differently: simple reminiscence stimulates social reminiscence and bonding and promotes positive feelings; life review uses the positive functions to enhance personal wellbeing; and life-review therapy seeks to reduce the negative uses and thereby alleviate symptoms of mental illness. Studies of the effectiveness of interventions have provided some evidence that interventions are effective in relation to their goals. The review closes with recommended directions for future reminiscence research.

Keywords

reminiscencelife reviewmental healthlifespan processespsychological interventions
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , May 2010 , pp. 697 - 721
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arean, P. A., Perri, M. G., Nezu, A. M. and Schein, R. L. 1993. Comparative effectiveness of social problem-solving therapy and reminiscence therapy as treatment for depression in older adults. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 6, 1003–10.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Arkoff, A., Meredith, G. M. and Dubanoski, J. P. 2004. Gains in well-being achieved through retrospective proactive life review by independent older women. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 44, 2, 204–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Atchley, R. C. 1989. A continuity theory of normal aging. The Gerontologist, 29, 2, 183–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Atchley, R. C. 1993. Continuity theory and the evolution of activity in later adulthood. In Kelly, J. R. (ed.), Activity and Aging: Staying Involved in Later Life. Sage, Newbury Park, California, 5–16.Google Scholar
Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A. and Brown, G. K. 1996. Beck Depression Inventory: Second Edition Manual. Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, Texas.Google Scholar
Birren, J. E. and Cochran, K. N. 2001. Telling the Stories of Life Through Guided Autobiography Groups. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.Google Scholar
Bluck, S. and Alea, N. 2002. Exploring the functions of autobiographical memory: why do I remember the autumn? In Webster, J. D. and Haight, B. K. (eds), Critical Advances in Reminiscence Work: From Theory to Application. Springer, New York, 61–75.Google Scholar
Bluck, S., Alea, N., Habermas, T. and Rubin, D. C. 2005. A tale of three functions: the self-reported uses of autobiographical memory. Social Cognition, 23, 1, 91–117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bluck, S. and Levine, L. J. 1998. Reminiscence as autobiographical memory: a catalyst for reminiscence theory development. Ageing & Society, 18, 2, 185–208.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bohlmeijer, E. T., Roemer, M., Cuijpers, P. and Smit, F. 2007. The effects of life-review on psychological well-being in older adults: a meta-analysis. Aging and Mental Health, 11, 3, 291–300.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bohlmeijer, E., Smit, F. and Cuijpers, P. 2003. Effects of reminiscence and life review on late-life depression: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18, 12, 1088–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bohlmeijer, E., Westerhof, G. J. and Emmerik-de Jong, M. 2008. The effects of a new narrative life-review intervention for improving meaning in life in older adults: results of a pilot project. Aging and Mental Health, 12, 5, 639–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butler, R. N. 1963. The life-review: an interpretation of reminiscence in the aged. Psychiatry, 26, 1, 65–76.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, R. N. 1974. Successful aging and the role of the life review. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 22, 12, 529–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cappeliez, P. 2002. Cognitive-reminiscence therapy for depressed older adults in day hospital and long-term care. In Webster, J. D. and Haight, B. K. (eds), Critical Advances in Reminiscence Work: From Theory to Application. Springer, New York, 300–13.Google Scholar
Cappeliez, P. and O'Rourke, N. 2002. Personality traits and existential concerns as predictors of the functions of reminiscence in older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 57, 2, 116–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cappeliez, P. and O'Rourke, N. 2006. Empirical validation of a model of reminiscence and health in later life. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 61, 4, 237–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cappeliez, P., O'Rourke, N. and Chaudhury, H. 2005. Functions of reminiscence and mental health in later life. Aging and Mental Health, 9, 4, 295–301.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cappeliez, P., Rivard, V. and Guindon, S. 2007. Functions of reminiscence in later life: proposition of a model and applications. European Review of Applied Psychology, 57, 3, 151–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carstensen, L. L. 1995. Evidence for a life-span theory of socioemotional selectivity. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 4, 5, 151–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carstensen, L. L. 2006. The influence of a sense of time on human development. Science, 312, 5782, 1913–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Coleman, P. G. 1974. Measuring reminiscence characteristics from conversation as adaptive features of old age. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 5, 3, 281–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coleman, P. G. 1986. Ageing and Reminiscence Processes: Social and Clinical Implications. Wiley, Chichester, UK.Google Scholar
Conway, M. A., Singer, J. A. and Tagini, A. 2004. The self and autobiographical memory: correspondence and coherence. Social Cognition, 22, 5, 491–529.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cook, E. A. 1991. The effects of reminiscence on psychological measures of ego integrity in elderly nursing home residents. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 5, 5, 292–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cully, J. A., LaVoie, D. and Gfeller, J. D. 2001. Reminiscence, personality, and psychological functioning in older adults. The Gerontologist, 41, 1, 89–95.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J. and Griffin, S. 1985. The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 1, 71–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Erikson, E. 1959. Identity and the Life Cycle. International University Press, New York.Google Scholar
Fallot, R. D. 1980. The impact on mood of verbal reminiscing in later adulthood. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 10, 4, 385–400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fitzgerald, J. M. 1996. Intersecting meanings of reminiscence in adult development and aging. In Rubin, D. C. (ed.), Remembering Our Past: Studies in Autobiographical Memory. Cambridge University Press, New York, 360–83.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fry, P. S. 1983. Structured and unstructured reminiscence training and depression among the elderly. Clinical Gerontologist, 1, 3, 15–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Garland, J. and Garland, C. 2001. Life Review in Health and Social Care: A Practitioner's Guide. Brunner-Routledge, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Google Scholar
Garland, J. and Garland, C. 2004. Life Review in Health and Social Care: A Practitioner's Guide. Brunner-Routledge, Hove, UK.Google Scholar
Gibson, F. M. A. 2004. The Past in the Present: Using Reminiscence in Health and Social Care. Health Professions Press, London.Google Scholar
Goldberg, D. 1978. Manual for the General Health Questionnaire. Oxford University Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Goldfried, M. R. and Wolfe, B. E. 1996. Psychotherapy practice and research: repairing a strained relationship. American Psychologist, 51, 10, 1007–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldwasser, A. N., Auerbach, S. M. and Harkins, S. W. 1987. Cognitive, affective, and behavioral effects of reminiscence group therapy on demented elderly. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 25, 3, 209–22.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Habegger, C. E. and Blieszner, R. 1990. Personal and social aspects of reminiscence: an exploratory study of neglected dimensions. Activities, Adaptation and Aging, 14, 4, 21–38.Google Scholar
Haight, B. K. 1988. The therapeutic role of a structured life review process in homebound elderly subjects. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 43, 2, 40–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haight, B. K. 1991. Reminiscing: the state of the art as a basis for practice. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 33, 1, 1–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haight, B. K. and Dias, J. K. 1992. Examining key variables in selected reminiscing modalities. International Psychogeriatrics, 4, supplement 2, 279–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haight, B. K., Michel, Y. and Hendrix, S. 1998. Life review: preventing despair in newly relocated nursing home residents: short- and long-term effects. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 47, 2, 119–42.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hanaoka, H. and Okamura, H. 2004. Study on effects of life review activities on the quality of life of the elderly: a randomized controlled trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 73, 5, 302–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Havighurst, R. J. and Glasser, R. 1972. An exploratory study of reminiscence. Journal of Gerontology, 27, 2, 245–53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hsieh, H. F. and Wang, J. J. 2003. Effect of reminiscence therapy on depression in older adults: a systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 40, 4, 335–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hyland, D. T. and Ackerman, A. M. 1988. Reminiscence and autobiographical memory in the study of the personal past. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 43, 2, 35–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keyes, C. L. M. 2000. Subjective change and its consequences for emotional well-being. Motivation and Emotion, 24, 2, 67–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Klausner, E. J., Clarkin, J. F., Spielman, L., Pupo, C., Abrams, R. and Alexopoulos, G. S. 1998. Late-life depression and functional disability: the role of goal-focused group psychotherapy. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13, 10, 707–16.3.0.CO;2-Q>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kovach, C. R. 1990. Promise and problems in reminiscence research. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 16, 4, 10–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kovach, C. R. 1995. A qualitative look at reminiscing: using the autobiographical memory coding tool. In Haight, B. K. and Webster, J. D. (eds), The Art and Science of Reminiscing: Theory, Research, Methods and Applications. Taylor and Francis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 103–22.Google Scholar
Kozma, A., Stones, M. J. and McNeil, J. K. 1990. Psychological Well-Being in Later Life. Butterworths, Toronto.Google Scholar
Lin, Y. C., Dai, Y. T. and Hwang, S. L. 2005. The effect of reminiscence on the elderly population: a systematic review. Public Health Nursing, 20, 4, 297–306.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lo Gerfo, M. 1980. Three ways of reminiscence in theory and practice. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 12, 1, 39–48.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marsh, E. J. 2007. Retelling is not the same as recalling: implications for memory. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16, 1, 16–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McMahon, A. W. and Rhudick, P. J. 1964. Reminiscing, adaptational significance in the aged. Archives of General Psychiatry, 10, 3, 292–98.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McMordie, W. R. 1979. Improving measurement of death anxiety. Psychological Reports, 44, 3, 975–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Merriam, S. B. 1993. Butler's life review: how universal is it? International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 37, 3, 163–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Merriam, S. B. and Cross, L. H. 1982. Adulthood and reminiscence: a descriptive study. Educational Gerontology, 8, 3, 275–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Molinari, V. and Reichlin, R. E. 1984. Life review reminiscence in the elderly: a review of the literature. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 20, 2, 81–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Moos, I. and Björn, A. 2006. Use of the life story in the institutional care of people with dementia: a review of intervention studies. Ageing & Society, 26, 3, 431–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parker, R. G. 1995. Reminiscence: a community theory framework. The Gerontologist, 35, 4, 515–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parker, R. G. 1999. Reminiscence as continuity: comparison of young and older adults. Journal of Clinical Geropsychology, 5, 2, 147–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pasupathi, M. 2001. The social construction of the personal past and its implications for adult development. Psychological Bulletin, 127, 5, 651–72.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pasupathi, M. and Carstensen, L. L. 2003. Age and emotional experience during mutual reminiscing. Psychology and Aging, 18, 3, 430–42.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pasupathi, M., Weeks, T. and Rice, C. 2006. Reflecting on life: remembering as a major process in adult development. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 25, 3, 244–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reker, G. T. 1992. Life Attitude Profile—Revised. Student Psychologists Press, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.Google Scholar
Rybash, J. M. and Hrubi, K. L. 1997. Psychometric and psychodynamic correlates of first memories in younger and older adults. The Gerontologist, 37, 5, 581–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Santor, D. and Zuroff, D. C. 1994. Depressive symptoms: effects of negative affectivity and failing to accept the past. Journal of Personality Assessment, 63, 2, 294–312.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schulz, R. and Heckhausen, J. 1996. A life span model of successful aging. American Psychologist, 51, 7, 702–14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Scogin, F., Welsh, D., Hanson, A., Stump, J. and Coates, A. 2005. Evidence-based psychotherapies for depression in older adults. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 12, 3, 222–37.Google Scholar
Serrano, J. P., Latorre, J. M., Gatz, M. and Montanes, J. 2004. Life-review therapy using autobiographical retrieval practice for older adults with depressive symptomatology. Psychology and Aging, 19, 2, 272–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L. and Lushene, R. E. 1970. Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto, California.Google Scholar
Thorne, A. 2000. Personal memory telling and personality development. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 4, 1, 46–56.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thornton, S. and Brotchie, J. 1987. Reminiscence: a critical review of the empirical literature. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 26, 2, 93–111.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Timmer, E., Westerhof, G. J. and Dittmann-Kohli, F. 2005. ‘When looking back on my past life I regret...’: retrospective regret in the second half of life. Death Studies, 29, 7, 625–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Kordelaar, K., Vlak, A., Kuin, Y. and Westerhof, G. J. 2008. Groen en Grijs: Jong en Oud met Elkaar in Gesprek [Green and Grey: Conversations Between Younger and Older Adults]. Bohn Stafleu Van Loghum, Houten, The Netherlands.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watt, L. M. and Cappeliez, P. 2000. Integrative and instrumental reminiscence therapies for depression in older adults: intervention strategies and treatment effectiveness. Aging and Mental Health, 4, 2, 166–77.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Webster, J. D. 1993. Construction and validation of the Reminiscence Functions Scale. Journal of Gerontology, 48, 5, 256–62.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, J. D. 1994. Predictors of reminiscence: a lifespan perspective. Canadian Journal on Aging, 13, 1, 66–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Webster, J. D. 1995. Adult age differences in reminiscence functions. In Haight, B. K. and Webster, J. D. (eds), The Art and Science of Reminiscing: Theory, Research, Methods, and Applications. Taylor and Francis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 89–102.Google Scholar
Webster, J. D. 1997. The reminiscence function scale: a replication. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 44, 2, 137–48.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, J. D. 1998. Attachment styles, reminiscence function, and happiness in young and elderly adults. Journal of Aging Studies, 12, 3, 315–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Webster, J. D. 2002. Reminiscence functions in adulthood: age, race and family dynamics correlates. In Webster, J. D. and Haight, B. K. (eds), Critical Advances in Reminiscence Work: From Theory to Application. Springer, New York, 140–52.Google Scholar
Webster, J. D. 2003. The reminiscence circumplex and autobiographical functions. Memory, 11, 2, 203–15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, J. D. and Gould, O. 2007. Reminiscence and vivid personal memories across adulthood. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 64, 2, 149–70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, J. D. and Haight, B. K. 1995. Memory lane milestones: progress in reminiscence definition and classification. In Haight, B. K. and Webster, J. D. (eds), The Art and Science of Reminiscing: Theory, Research, Methods, and Applications. Taylor and Francis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 273–86.Google Scholar
Webster, J. D. and McCall, M. E. 1999. Reminiscence functions across adulthood: a replication and extension. Journal of Adult Development, 6, 1, 73–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Webster, J. D. and Young, R. A. 1988. Process variables of the life review: counseling implications. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 26, 4, 315–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Westerhof, G. J. 2009. Identity construction in the third age: the role of self-narratives. In Hartung, H. and Maierhofer, R. (eds), Narratives of Lives: Mediating Age. LIT Verlag, Münster, Germany.Google Scholar
Westerhof, G. J., Bohlmeijer, E. and Valenkamp, M. W. 2005. In search of meaning: a reminiscence program for older persons. Educational Gerontology, 30, 9, 751–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Westerhof, G. J. and Keyes, C. L. M. 2006. After the fall of the Berlin Wall: perceptions and consequences of stability and change among middle aged and older East- and West-Germans. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 61B, 5, 240–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whitbourne, S. K. 1985. The psychological construction of the life-span. In Birren, J. E. and Schaie, K. W. (eds), Handbook of the Psychology of Aging. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 594–618.Google Scholar
Wilson, A. E. and Ross, M. 2003. The identity function of autobiographical memory: time is on our side. Memory, 11, 2, 137–49.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wink, P. and Schiff, B. 2002. To review or not to review? The role of personality and life events in life review and adaptation to older age. In Webster, J. D. and Haight, B. K. (eds), Critical Advances in Reminiscence Work: From Theory to Application. Springer, New York, 44–60.Google Scholar
Wong, P. T. 1995. The processes of adaptive reminiscence. In Haight, B. K. and Webster, J. D. (eds), The Art and Science of Reminiscing: Theory, Research, Methods, and Applications. Taylor and Francis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 23–35.Google Scholar
Wong, P. T. and Watt, L. M. 1991. What types of reminiscence are associated with successful aging? Psychology and Aging, 6, 2, 272–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Woods, B., Spector, A., Jones, C., Orrell, M. and Davies, S. 2005. Reminiscence therapy for dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 18, 2, CD001120.Google Scholar
Wrosch, C., Bauer, I. and Scheier, M. F. 2005. Regret and quality of life across the adult life span: the influence of disengagement and available future goals. Psychology and Aging, 20, 4, 657–70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wrosch, C. and Heckhausen, J. 2002. Perceived control of life regrets: good for young and bad for old adults. Psychology and Aging, 17, 2, 340–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar