Relationships Among Nostalgia, Depression and Death Anxiety of Elders in Reminiscence Therapy and Impression

Abstract

Background: The number of elders increases in these days and for future. Depression or death anxiety is an important problem. There were few empirical studies about depression or death anxiety related with nostalgia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between Nostalgia Proneness, depression or death anxiety of elders through the reminiscence therapy and impression of the therapy to get support of qualitative results.

Method: Elders in an elders’ college participated in the Reminiscence Therapy. After the therapy, they completed questionnaires of the Nostalgia Proneness (positive and negative), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for depression, a Quick Inventory for Death Attitude 8-item (QIDA-8) for death anxiety, and impression for the therapy.

Results: The score of the Nostalgia Proneness (NP)-Positive was 4.77 of 8 point, and that of NP-Negative was 2.77. The score of GDS was 2.72, which was lower than the cutoff point. The NP-Negative significantly related with GDS (r=.45). The NP-negative significantly related with Death Anxiety (r=.49). Chosen categories from impression by qualitative analysis were: “Positive evaluation of the reminiscence therapy,” “Positive evaluation of life history book,” “Memorable memories and emotion,” “Time crossed reconsideration of one’s life,” and “Negative comments for the reminiscence therapy”.

Conclusion: Reminiscence Therapy may promote elders’ nostalgia proneness positive and positive impression. Some of elders with nostalgia proneness negative felt depression and death anxiety, and felt negative impression the therapy. We need to consider both positive and negative proneness aspects.