title: Examining Patterns and Functions of Reminiscence in a Sample of Black Adults: Implications for Psychiatric Nurses.
abstract: The patterns and functions of reminiscence have been shown to be associated with mental health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine age and gender differences in the patterns and functions of reminiscence among a sample of Black adults. Multivariate analysis of variance findings revealed age and gender differences on specific reminiscence functions. Age groups >70 scored highest on the Teach/ Inform function. Men reminisce more for Bitterness Revival while women reminisce more frequently to Teach/Inform and for Intimacy Maintenance. Results indicate there are age and gender differences in the reasons why and how often the participants in this study reminisce for a specific purpose. These findings are informative for psychiatric nurses in order to facilitate therapeutic reminiscence to improve the mental health and well-being of this underserved population.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, CT. Electronic address: juliette.shellman@uconn.edu.
authors.forename: Juliette M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shellman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors