Reminiscences of Care House Residents for the Aged and Psychological Adaptation

Abstract

　　The purposes of this study were to investigate the relationship between reminiscences of Care House Residents for the Aged and psychological adaptation, and to examine the efficacy of reminiscences as a psychological approach.

　　A sample of 152 Care House Residents (ages 60-96 years, with an average age of 77.4 years) completed questionnaires including the Japanese Reminiscence Function Scale for the Elderly (JRFSE) and the Life Satisfaction Index K(LSIK). By cluster analysis, the obtained samples were classified into 4 types of reminiscence and named the “Positive type”, the “Negative type”, the “Ambivalent type”, and the “Narrative type”. Psychological adaptation of the “positive type” seems better, and the “Negative type” is apparently connected with the psychological maladjustive state.

　　On the basis of whot these findings suggest, suggestion, interviews using the individual reminiscence on the “negative type” were conducted. Consequently, the rating value of the item of “Positive reminiscence” and “Life satisfaction index” changed greatly, and it is possible that individual reminiscence was effective.

　　Findings from these changes pointed out the significance of taking the approach of increasing “Positive reminiscence” for the “negative type”, and not to persist in fixed theme when subjccts have times and events they don't want to reminisce about. Moreover, to cope with “uneasiness in a prospective view” which the Care House Residents hold, it was considered important that the staff of various occupations be cooperative.