Reminiscence, psychological well-being, and ego integrity in portuguese elderly people

Afonso, Rosa Marina; Bueno, Bélen; Loureiro, Manuel Joaquim; Pereira, Henrique Marques

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/2468

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Authors

Afonso, Rosa Marina

Bueno, Bélen

Loureiro, Manuel Joaquim

Pereira, Henrique Marques

Abstract(s)

This paper analyzes the impact of a reminiscence program on the psychological well-being and ego integrity of elderly people with depressive symptomatology. Ninety people aged 65 and over participated in a quasiexperimental design with pretest and posttest evaluations. They were assigned to one of three groups: (a) experimental group (reminiscence sessions); (b) control group or (c) control-placebo group (weekly relaxation sessions). The results indicate that only the experimental group had significant increases in its overall psychological well-being and ego integrity. This suggests that the promotion of instrumental and integrative reminiscences is an important therapeutic tool for psychological wellbeing in elderly people with depressive symptomatology.