International journal of aging & human development
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Int J Aging Hum Dev · Jan 1990
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialReminiscence, life review, and ego integrity in nursing home residents.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between dimensions of reminiscence and ego integrity in elderly nursing-home residents. Although frequency of reminiscence was not significantly correlated with ego integrity, using reminiscence for the purpose of life review was positively correlated with high ego-integrity scores in this sample of elderly individuals. This significant, positive relationship supports Butler's life-review theory and provides a link between the life review type of reminiscence and the resolution of Erikson's eighth and final developmental stage--a yardstick of successful aging.