We may often find ourselves thinking about the past. Reconnecting with the past may partly reflect a wish to re-experience the thoughts and feelings we once had. The refreshing of old memories may help to alleviate the feeling of disconnectedness with the past. Reconnecting with the past may also help us see how the past and present are related. As a result, our lives may seem less fragmented. (1)
In Haight's (1988) study, each elderly participant was randomly assigned to one of three conditions. In the friendly-visit condition, the participants had six one-hour visits (one each week). They discussed topics. Some of the things that were discussed included the weather and TV shows. In the life-review condition, the participants had six one-hour visits. They talked about their past. The interviewers had a form with questions. Some of the questions on this form included describing the hardest thing they had to face in their lives and the pleasant things about their adolescence. The no-treatment group completed only the pretest and posttest questionnaires. Haight found that the life-review group was higher in posttest life satisfaction than the friendly-visit group. Haight also found that the life-review group was higher in posttest life satisfaction than the no-treatment group. (2)
Thinking of the past may partly foster greater life satisfaction because it makes one's life seem more coherent. Greater perceived coherence in life may foster greater perceived meaning in life. However, thinking of negative events in the past might not increase life satisfaction if there is a feeling of regret.
Notes
1. Ideas about reconnecting with the past are included in my book, Finding Meaning (3rd ed.).
2. See Haight's article for other findings.
References
Bell, B. (2007). Finding meaning, (3rd ed.). Portland, OR: Blue
Fox Communications.
Haight, B. K. (1988). The therapeutic role of a structured life review
process in homebound elderly subjects. Journal of Gerontology:
Psychological Sciences, 43, 40-44.