title: Reminiscence and adaptation to critical life events in older adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of reminiscence as a way of adapting to critical life events and chronic medical conditions was investigated in older adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Reminiscence is the (non)volitional act or process of recollecting memories of one's self in the past.
  
  
  METHODS
  171 Dutch older adults with a mean age of 64 years (SD = 7.4) participated in this study. All of them had mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Participants completed measures on critical life events, chronic medical conditions, depressive symptoms, symptoms of anxiety and satisfaction with life. The reminiscence functions included were: identity, problem solving, bitterness revival and boredom reduction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Critical life events were positively correlated with identity and problem solving. Bitterness revival and boredom reduction were both positively correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms, and negatively to satisfaction with life. Problem solving had a negative relation with anxiety symptoms. When all the reminiscence functions were included, problem solving was uniquely associated with symptoms of anxiety, and bitterness revival was uniquely associated with depressive symptoms and satisfaction with life. Interestingly, problem solving mediated the relation of critical life events with anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study corroborates the theory that reminiscence plays a role in coping with critical life events, and thereby maintaining mental health. Furthermore, it is recommended that therapists focus on techniques which reduce bitterness revival in people with depressive symptoms, and focus on problem-solving reminiscences among people with anxiety symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. j.korte@utwente.nl
authors.forename: Jojanneke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Korte
authors.forename: Ernst T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Bohlmeijer
authors.forename: Gerben J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Westerhof
authors.forename: Anne Margriet
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pot
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pot
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011340:Problem Solving; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires