ERIC Number: EJ692160
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Oct
Pages: 16
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0360-1277
EISSN: N/A
In Search of Meaning: A Reminiscence Program for Older Persons
Westerhof, Gerben J.; Bohlmeijer, Ernst; Valenkamp, Marije W.
Educational Gerontology, v30 n9 p751-766 Oct 2004
A pilot evaluation is reported of a reminiscence program aimed at increasing personal meaning. Fifty-seven older persons completed both a sentence completion questionnaire measuring personal meaning and a depression scale administered before and after the program. In comparison to a group from a representative survey that was matched on life contexts, the personal meaning profile of the intervention group was more negative and more focused on self. Hence, a group with impoverished meaning was participating in the program. After the intervention, the personal meaning profile was more positive, in particular with regard to self-evaluations and evaluations of social relations. The group that improved most on depression also improved most on personal meaning. Further research on the program is warranted.
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A