Reminiscence has long been considered an integral part of the aging process, whether as a form of cultural transmission or as a method of strengthening the ego structure. To examine the form of reminiscence defined as life review and its relationship to adjustment in the final stages of development, older Canadian adults (N=82) completed a reminiscence questionnaire, the Life Satisfaction Index Z, the Subjective Senescence Scale, and a life events questionnaire. Results confirmed that the elderly engaged in life review as a way of adjusting to aging, and when the review was successfully completed, reminiscence became less frequent. Concerning the relationship between ego-integrity and life review activity, the data showed marked negative affect during the course of the review, measured by life satisfaction indices and less present and future orientation. The findings suggest that levels of anxiety may rise during the review process and that ego-integrity may not appear until completion of the review. (JAC)