Citation

Merriam S, Cross LH, Submission HCF. Activ. Adapt. Aging 1982; 2(1): 39-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J016v02n01_06

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Reminiscence. or recalling the past, is a behavior common to all ages. Research todate, however, has been conductedonly with olderadults and has failed to clearly delineate how reminiscence might be related to self-esteem. cognitive functioning, or lifesatisfaction. This study focused upon the relationship between life satisfaction and the reminiscent behavior of 309 students, young adults, middle-aged men and women and older adults. Life satisfaction scores were obtained by summing responses to the 17-items of the Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale. Two factors, Coping and Enjoyment, were derived from eleven statements regarding feelings subjects reported having while reminiscing. Multiple regression analysis revealed a weak though statistically significant (a = .01) relationship between life satisfaction and the two factors. Those who placed greater emphasis upon reminiscence as enjoymcnr tended to have higher lice satisfaction scores. Conversely, those who had highei scores on using reminiscence for coping tended to have lower life satisfaction scores.