title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada. ORourke@sfu.ca
authors.forename: Norm
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cappeliez
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Claxton
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002170:Canada; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires