Goal and Benefits of Life Review The final of Erikson’s psychosocial stages is when one focuses inward and reviews his or her life history with the principal question of ego integrity versus despair. By accepting one’s existence as inevitable and meaningful Ego Integrity is achieved while despair is connected to bitterness, remorse, and shame. A life review helps an individual incorporate memories into a significant expression of self-connectedness to the past, present, and future (Clayton, 1975). According to Haight (1988), homebound elderly adults achieve an overall increase in life satisfaction by completing a life review. In addition, a 2004 study by Serrano, Latorre, Gatz, & Montañés suggests that life review therapy improves
…show more content…
Haber (2006) states, “Reminiscence is likely a universal experience from at least the age of 10. It is a passive and spontaneous process that may be part of a life review but is not synonymous with it” (p. 154). In the life review activity, the individual evaluates how their memories impact their life and it may promote coming to terms with emotionally charged memories. This difference is evident in RL’s description of the death of his mother. While recalling his mother’s funeral, RL remembered the smell of the funeral home, the sound of Amazing Grace, and how his brother punched him for not crying. This memory became part of his life analysis as we explored the subject further and RL described the impact of his mother’s death. He recognized this moment as a critical moment in his life that would influence many of his life decisions. He related how the sense of family returned when he joined the military and how his depression deepened when he left the Army. Another memory RL shared was his active involvement in his grandchildren’s lives. RL described spending his days dedicated to changing diapers, driving to school, and assisting with homework. It soon became obvious how the memories of his grandchildren were part of his life analysis when he compared his role as a grandparent to his role as a parent. RL acknowledged that the reason left a paying job to be with his grandchildren is because he spent so little time with his own children. He also expressed how his sacrifices for his grandchildren eased the guilt of being an absent father. During the interview, RL’s ability to retell memories was excellent, but what was more impressive was his ability to relate how these memories affected his self-image and life
Haber (2006) states, “Reminiscence is likely a universal experience from at least the age of 10. It is a passive and spontaneous process that may be part of a life review but is not synonymous with it” (p. 154). In the life review activity, the individual evaluates how their memories impact their life and it may promote coming to terms with emotionally charged memories. This difference is evident in RL’s description of the death of his mother. While recalling his mother’s funeral, RL remembered the smell of the funeral home, the sound of Amazing Grace, and how his brother punched him for not crying. This memory became part of his life analysis as we explored the subject further and RL described the impact of his mother’s death. He recognized this moment as a critical moment in his life that would influence many of his life decisions. He related how the sense of family returned when he joined the military and how his depression deepened when he left the Army. Another memory RL shared was his active involvement in his grandchildren’s lives. RL described spending his days dedicated to changing diapers, driving to school, and assisting with homework. It soon became obvious how the memories of his grandchildren were part of his life analysis when he compared his role as a grandparent to his role as a parent. RL acknowledged that the reason left a paying job to be with his grandchildren is because he spent so little time with his own children. He also expressed how his sacrifices for his grandchildren eased the guilt of being an absent father. During the interview, RL’s ability to retell memories was excellent, but what was more impressive was his ability to relate how these memories affected his self-image and life