Biographical reconstruction of WWII experience: an exploration of German remembrance.
First results of the Eldermensch-Study (N = 50) indicate that German National Socialism and the historical events associated with World War II play a central role in the oral histories of older Germans. Six distinct patterns of late life cognitive appraisal of war-time experience: survival challenge (further divided into "active" and "passive" survivorship), passive benefit, opportunism, value verification, and acceptance despite hardship are presented and discussed as structural themes in the life story. These categories not only represent interindividual differences in the appraisal of war-time experience, but often reflect contrasting patterns of personal response to the social and political circumstances of this era of German history. In addition to cohort and gender differences, divergence in locus of control orientation as well as the role of social bonding and instrumental social support are discussed. Differences revealed in the biographical interviews are further reflected in the results of standardized questionnaires.
Lohmann
R
R
Clinic for Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospitals Essen, Germany.
Heuft
G
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001325:Autobiographies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D011056:Political Systems; D013534:Survival / Q000523:psychology; D014857:Warfare