A Follow-Up Study of a Reminiscence Intervention and Its Effects on Depressed Mood, Life Satisfaction, and Well-Being in the Elderly

• Published in: The journal of psychology Vol. 151; no. 8; pp. 789 - 803
• Main Authors: Viguer, Paz, Satorres, Encarna, Fortuna, Flor B., Meléndez, Juan C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 17.11.2017; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Aged; Analysis of Variance; Depressed mood; Depression - psychology; Depression - therapy; Dominican Republic; experimental study; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Geriatric psychology; Humans; Intervention; Life satisfaction; Male; Memory, Episodic; Older people; Personal Satisfaction; Psychological well being; Quality of Life; reminiscence; well-being; experimental study; well-being; reminiscence; life satisfaction; Depressed mood
• ISSN: 0022-3980; 1940-1019
• DOI: 10.1080/00223980.2017.1393379

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which a reminiscence intervention reduces depressed mood and improves life satisfaction and psychological well-being. 160 healthy elderly people participated in a 10-session intervention. An experimental design with pretest and posttest evaluations was applied, comparing a control group to an intervention group to evaluate the effects of the program. Follow-up measures were also taken to find out whether the intervention's positive effects lasted over time. Mixed Model ANOVAs showed significant increases in the time-group interaction, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being measures, and decreases in depressed mood, after treatment. The effects remained after three months in the case of life satisfaction and some dimensions of psychological well-being, but they were lower on depressed mood. This study provides additional support for the effectiveness of a reminiscence program as a useful intervention to improve the quality of life of older adults.