Reminiscence, life review, and ego integrity in nursing home residents.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between dimensions of reminiscence and ego integrity in elderly nursing-home residents. Although frequency of reminiscence was not significantly correlated with ego integrity, using reminiscence for the purpose of life review was positively correlated with high ego-integrity scores in this sample of elderly individuals. This significant, positive relationship supports Butler's life-review theory and provides a link between the life review type of reminiscence and the resolution of Erikson's eighth and final developmental stage--a yardstick of successful aging.