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The effects of reminiscence on psychological well-being in older adults: A meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
This paper presents the results of a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of reminiscence on psychological well-being across different target groups and treatment modalities. Fifteen controlled outcome studies were included. An overall effect size of 0.54 was found, indicating a moderate influence of reminiscence on life-satisfaction and emotional well-being in older adults. Life-review was found to have significantly greater effect on psychological well-being than simple reminiscence. In addition, reminiscence had significantly greater effect on community-dwelling adults than adults living in nursing homes or residential care. Other characteristics of participants or interventions were not found to moderate effects. It is concluded that reminiscence in general, but especially life review, are potentially effective methods for the enhancement of psychological well-being in older adults. However, a replication of effectiveness studies of the well-defined protocols is now warranted.
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Metadata
- Authors
- Bohlmeijer, E., Roemer, M., Cuijpers, P., & Smit, F.
- Affiliations
- Trimbos Institute (NL)
- Free-University
- Corresponding author
- Bohlmeijer, Ernst
- Venue
- Aging & Mental Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2007-05
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 291-300
- ISSN
- 1360-7863 (ISSN-L)
- 1364-6915
- OpenAlex
- W2016153636
- Cited by
- 390
- References
- 87
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 27
- FWCI
- 2.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- research.vu.nl
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- Aging & Mental Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Digital Academic REpository of VU University Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
- VU Research Portal (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Keywords
- reminiscence, life review, psychological well-being, older adults, life satisfaction, emotional well-being, community-dwelling older adults, nursing home residents, residential care
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Humans, Netherlands, Personal Satisfaction, Mental Recall
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