title: Reminiscence behavior: an empirical exploration.
abstract: Engagement in the process of reminiscing involves the use of detail and depth, easy access to memories, and requests for feedback from the listener. Engagement in reminiscing may be stable during old age or may follow a developmental course. Avoidance behaviors, defined as switching to non-reminiscing topics or giving neutral/informative responses, were prevalent among non-engaged reminiscers. Understanding what a person chooses to avoid reminiscing about is as important as what a person chooses to reminisce about. Diversity refers to the degree to which engaged reminiscers varied the events they reminisced about. Diversity of verbalizing both validating and lamenting reminiscences may related to the specific usefulness of reminiscence as an intervention. Two distinct reminiscence interventions are currently being used: life review and psychosocial reminiscing. Findings regarding engagement and diversity of reminiscing suggest more effort is needed in prescribing the appropriate reminiscing intervention.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Kovach
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D011788:Quality of Life