Reminiscence: a critical review of the empirical literature

The empirical evidence concerning the prevalence and function of reminiscence among the elderly is reviewed and the relevance of such activity for clinical populations is evaluated. Variations in the ways in which reminiscence is defined and methods of eliciting reminiscence activity are described. Data on frequency of reminiscence and its relationship to age are discussed. Studies investigating the functions of reminiscence are divided into three groups according to experimental design and their findings critically reviewed. It is concluded that there is little evidence of an age-specific process of reminiscence, that the functions of such a process are unclear and that the role of reminiscence as a therapeutic activity is in doubt.