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 the importance of self-connectedness to the past, present, and future (Clayton, 1975). Haight (1988) found an overall increase in life satisfaction from completing a life review during home visits in comparison to only friendly home visits in sixty homebound elderly subjects. In addition, a 2004 study by Serrano,
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Moreover, depression increases cognitive deficits in learning and memory in older adults and behavioral therapies such as the live review may improve cognition by reducing depressive symptoms (Simon, Cordas, & Bottino, 2015). Also, Beecham et al (1998) contend that the life review gives adults a sense of self-control in institutional environments where many people experience despair from the lack of control over their environments. Even though the life review has obvious benefits to the reviewer, research also suggests that the life review significantly improves the reviewer’s attitude about the elderly (Ross, Williams, and Jennings, 2015). A life review is a beneficial tool in improving self-esteem, reducing depression, enhancing cognition, and expanding relationships in …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 process 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. At his mother’s funeral RL recalled 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 was visibly emotional describing the impact of his mother’s death. He recognized this moment as a critical moment in his life that would impact many of his life decisions. He related how this loss was lessened when he gained a sense of family when he joined the military and the depression he encountered when he was forced to retire. 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 evident how the memories of his grandchildren were part of his life analysis
Moreover, depression increases cognitive deficits in learning and memory in older adults and behavioral therapies such as the live review may improve cognition by reducing depressive symptoms (Simon, Cordas, & Bottino, 2015). Also, Beecham et al (1998) contend that the life review gives adults a sense of self-control in institutional environments where many people experience despair from the lack of control over their environments. Even though the life review has obvious benefits to the reviewer, research also suggests that the life review significantly improves the reviewer’s attitude about the elderly (Ross, Williams, and Jennings, 2015). A life review is a beneficial tool in improving self-esteem, reducing depression, enhancing cognition, and expanding relationships in …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 process 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. At his mother’s funeral RL recalled 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 was visibly emotional describing the impact of his mother’s death. He recognized this moment as a critical moment in his life that would impact many of his life decisions. He related how this loss was lessened when he gained a sense of family when he joined the military and the depression he encountered when he was forced to retire. 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 evident how the memories of his grandchildren were part of his life analysis