Life review reminiscence in the elderly: a review of the literature.

The literature on life review reminiscence in the elderly is reviewed. Research indicates that life review is a personal, self-evaluative form of reminiscence with intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions. The nature and quality of these dimensions change with age. The process and outcome of life review in the elderly may vary as a function of independent, as compared with institutional, living. There needs to be closer correspondence between clinical and research endeavors since empirical documentation is lacking regarding the efficacy of life review groups. It is suggested that an integration of intrapersonal and interpersonal approaches may provide the basis for a broad conceptualization of life review reminiscence in aged adults.