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Functions of Reminiscence in Later Life as Viewed by Young and Old Adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Philippe Cappeliez ,
Rosanne Lavallée  and
Norm O'Rourke
Philippe Cappeliez
Affiliation:
University of Ottawa
Rosanne Lavallée
Affiliation:
University of Ottawa
Norm O'Rourke
Affiliation:
Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre
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Abstract

Reminiscence is the process of thinking or telling about past experiences. The goal of this study was to investigate which functions young adults attribute to their own reminiscences, and to the reminiscences of older persons. The views of young adults on the reminiscences of older adults were also compared with the self-reports of older persons on their reminiscences. We used the Reminiscence Functions Scale (Webster, 1993,1997), which measures eight functions: Boredom Reduction, Death Preparation, Identity, Problem-Solving, Conversation, Intimacy Maintenance, Bitterness Revival, and Teach/Inform. Seventy-six undergraduate students reported on their own uses of reminiscences. A few weeks later, they gave their views regarding the functions for older persons on the same scale. Eighty-three adults over the age of 65 completed the scale regarding their own uses. Age-appropriate higher uses of the functions of Boredom Reduction, Identity and Problem-Solving characterized the young adults. Older adults most characteristically used reminiscence for Teach/ Inform, i.e. for transmission of life experiences. Compared to themselves, young adults believed that older adults reminisced more for practically all functions, which reflects the stereotypical view. When these beliefs were checked against the reports of older adults, it became clear that young adults overestimated almost all uses, especially Boredom Reduction, Death Preparation, and Teach/Inform. These findings reflect the prevalence of ageist assumptions regarding the uses of reminiscence by older persons.

Résumé

La réminiscence consiste dans le fait de penser ou de parler de ses expériences passées. Le but de cette étude était d'examiner quelles fonctions des jeunes adultes attribuent à leurs propres réminiscences, ainsi qu'aux réminiscences des personnes âgées. Les réponses des jeunes adultes concernant les réminiscences des personnes âgées ont été ensuite comparées à celles formulées par les personnes âgées à l'égard de leurs propres réminiscences. Nous avons utilisé l'Échelle des fonctions des réminiscences (Webster, 1993, 1997) qui mesure huit functions: Réduction de l'ennui, Préparation à la mort, Identité, Résolution de problème, Conversation, Entretien de l'intimité, Réactivation de l'amertume, et Enseigner/Informer. Soixante-seize étudiant(e)s de premier cycle universitaire ont rapporté leurs propres utilisations des réminiscences. Quelques semaines plus tard, ces personnes ont donné leurs vues au sujet des fonctions des réminiscences pour les personnes âgées au moyen de la même échelle. Quatre-vingt trois adultes âgés de plus de 65 ans ont répondu à l'échelle à propos de leurs propres utilisations des réminiscences. Bien en rapport avec leur âge, les réminiscences des jeunes adultes étaient caractérisées par des utilisations plus élevées des fonctions de Réduction de l'ennui, d'Identité et de Résolution de problème. Les personnes âgées utilisaient plus caractéristiquement les réminiscences pour Enseigner/Informer, c'est-à-dire pour transmettre des expériences de vie. Comparativement à eux-mêmes, les jeunes adultes estimaient que les personnes âgées réminiscaient plus pour quasiment toutes les functions, ce qui reflète la perception stéréotypée. Lorsque ces croyances ont été confrontées aux réponses des adnltes âgés, il est devenu apparent que les jeunes adultes surestimaient pratiquement toutes les utilisations, et particulièrement la Réduction de l'ennui, la Préparation à la mort, et Enseigner/Informer. Ces résultats reflètent la prévalence des opinions âgistes en ce qui a trait aux réminiscence des personnes âgées.

Keywords

Age DifferencesReminiscenceStereotypes.Différences d'âgeréminiscencestéréotypes.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , Hiver/Winter 2001 , pp. 577 - 589
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2001

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