Functions of reminiscence and emotional regulation among older adults

This study examines the emotional context of reminiscence among older adults. Eighty older adults (mean age: 70 years) were interviewed about their last episode of reminiscence. Type of reminiscence and emotions before and after the reminiscence were categorized. Narrative, intimacy, integrative, and obsessive reminiscences were most commonly reported. The vast majority of narrative reminiscences occurred in the context of positive emotions, either eliciting, maintaining, or even amplifying positive feelings. The large majority of intimacy reminiscences occurred in a context of negative emotions, in most cases changing an initial positive emotion into a negative one, such as sadness or nostalgia. The vast majority of integrative reminiscences lead to positive emotions, either eliciting or sustaining such a positive emotion. Obsessive reminiscences were linked to negative emotions, most of them triggering or amplifying negative emotions. The implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed.