A Follow-Up Study of a Reminiscence Intervention and Its Effects on Depressed Mood, Life Satisfaction, and Well-Being in the Elderly

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which a reminiscence intervention reduces depressed mood and improves life satisfaction and psychological well-being. 160 healthy elderly people participated in a 10-session intervention. An experimental design with pretest and posttest evaluations was applied, comparing a control group to an intervention group to evaluate the effects of the program. Follow-up measures were also taken to find out whether the intervention's positive effects lasted over time. Mixed Model ANOVAs showed significant increases in the time-group interaction, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being measures, and decreases in depressed mood, after treatment. The effects remained after three months in the case of life satisfaction and some dimensions of psychological well-being, but they were lower on depressed mood. This study provides additional support for the effectiveness of a reminiscence program as a useful intervention to improve the quality of life of older adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Depressed mood
• experimental study
• life satisfaction
• reminiscence
• well-being

Author Notes

Paz Viguer, PhD, is a professor of psychology in the University of Valencia (Spain). Her research focuses on developmental psychology and aging. She has examined the psychological influences on well-being and how to promote successful aging.

Encarna Satorres, PhD, is a lab research technician at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia (Spain), specializing in the evaluation of patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

Flor B. Fortuna, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, and her research has been carried out mainly in the older adults.

Juan C. Meléndez, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia (Spain), and his research has been carried out mainly in the older adults with and without pathology.