Adaptive and harmful autobiographical remembering after the loss of a loved one. (1st February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wolf, Tabea; Strack, Veronika; Bluck, Susan
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 27:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 408
• Page End: 416
• Publication Date: 2023-02-01
• Subjects: Autobiographical memory functions -- reminiscence -- grief -- bereavement -- adaptive use of memories; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.2003299
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Remembering one's personal past serves psychosocial functions. Adaptive use of autobiographical memory is related to well-being but little research has focused on grief. We address this in two studies theoretically grounded in the model of reminiscence and health. Method: Participants were adults who were actively grieving, and in both studies, completed the Reminiscence Functions Scale and grief-related measures (i.e. feelings of grief, positive changes in life perspective). Study 1 focused on uses for generally recalling one's past and Study 2 on uses of memories of the deceased. Results: Across studies, self-negative ways of remembering were associated with stronger feelings of grief and also mediated relations between social ways of remembering and grief. Self-positive ways of remembering the deceased (Study 2) were associated with having experienced positive changes in life perspective since the loss. Conclusion: The discussion focuses on how memories of one's personal past are linked to the experience of loss, even years into bereavement.