Reminiscence Functions and Mental Health in Older Adults with Moderate Depression

Since moderate depression and anxiety are by far the most important risk factors of late-life clinical disorder, it is relevant to study the functions of reminiscence in this group at risk. We assessed positive reminiscence functions (identity, problem solving) and negative reminiscence functions (bitterness revival, boredom reduction) in 171 Dutch older people with depressive symptomatology. Furthermore, we measured depressive and anxiety symptoms, important life-events and serious illness. Depression was positively correlated with negative reminiscence functions, in particular with bitterness revival. Anxiety has a positive relation with negative functions, as well as a negative relation with problem solving. Moreover, problem solving mediates the relation of negative life events with anxiety. To reduce clinical symptomatology and prevent mental disorder, we advise mental health care professionals to use techniques which reduce bitterness revival in people with depressive symptoms, and to use problem solving techniques in people with anxiety symptoms.