Functions of reminiscence and the psychological well-being of young-old and older adults over time

Abstract

Existing cross-sectional research demonstrates an association between reminiscence functions and well-being in later life. The results of this study replicate and extend previous findings in separate participant samples above and below 70 years of age. Findings suggest a link between reminiscence functions and psychological well-being, and indirectly between reminiscence and well-being 16 months thereafter. Invariance analyses reveal few differences in association between reminiscence and well-being when young-old (n = 196) and older adults (n = 215) are compared. These findings suggest a direct positive association between self-positive reminiscence functions (identity, death preparation, and problem-solving) and a direct negative association between self-negative functions (boredom reduction, bitterness revival, and intimacy maintenance) and psychological well-being (life satisfaction, depressive, and anxiety symptoms). In contrast, prosocial reminiscence functions (conversation, teach/inform others) appear to have an indirect association with well-being (i.e., via self-positive and self-negative functions). These findings are discussed relative to evolving theory and research linking cognition and health.

Keywords:

• invariance analyses
• mental health
• reminiscence
• structural equation modeling
• well-being

Acknowledgments

The support for completion of this study was provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC no. 410-2006-0124 and 410-2005-2328 to Drs Cappeliez and O’Rourke, respectively) and from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR no. 127915 and 136727 both to Dr O’Rourke).