Citation

Merriam SB. Activ. Adapt. Aging 1994; 18(1): 1-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J016v18n01_01

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The recall of past experiences, or reminiscence, is an intriguing concept in its potential as an adaptive mechanism in the aging process. However, there is still much to be learned about simple reminiscence and its relationship to other dependent measures. The purpose of this study was to assess race, sex, and age-group differences with regard to frequency of occurrence and uses of reminiscence; a second purpose explored the relationship between frequency of reminiscence and measures of lie satisfaction, morale, depression, and coping. As part of The Georgia Centenarian Study, 291 men and women, blacks and whites, representing 60, 80, and 100-year-old age groups were asked about their frequency and uses of reminiscence. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed signitlcant race and sex, but not age-group differences. A significant correlation was found between frequency of reminiscence and a measure of depression and coping.