title: Can a reminiscing intervention alter depression and self-esteem?
abstract: This study assessed the value of reminiscing as a therapeutic intervention for older persons. A decrease in depression and an increase in self-esteem were the hypothesized outcomes. Twenty-one community residents, mean age seventy-seven years, were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the first group was involved in structured reminiscing for forty-five minutes during each of five weeks; the second group was a control that focused on current life events; and the third group was a no-treatment control. Analysis of changes from pretest to posttest revealed no significant differences for either depression or self-esteem. This study provides no support for claims that reminiscing can be an effective short-term therapeutic intervention.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept