Life Review, Role of Relationships

Personal Functions of Life Review

The personal functions realized by the life review range from the mundane and neutral (e.g., including reflective personal distractions during idle moments) to the profound and positive (e.g., clarifying problems and choosing courses of actions based on successful previous decisions; boosting self-confidence and morale based on the reflection on previous accomplishments). Some negative consequences of reviewing one's life have been noted, often attributed to rumination or perseverance on failures and associated with lowered self-esteem. The sharing of stories with others is believed to mitigate these potential negative consequences. The act of sharing is fundamentally a positive process and further enhances morale and self-esteem in this context through the role others might play in the process of reviewing a life, such as redirecting attention toward a more affirmative course and/or offering different and more encouraging interpretations of events and circumstances.

Relational Functions of Life Review

The relational functions of life review similarly range from the mundane to the profound. For example, life review may serve a purpose as basic as initiating conversations; individuals, in the company of others, may recall incidents, times, and circumstances as a means to “break the ice” or begin some dialogue. Life review may also serve to nurture or deepen relationships. Such effects have been noted in the Guided Autobiography, the group-based, thematic and semistructured approach to the life review developed by James Birren, a prominent gerontologist. In the structured setting of the Guided Autobiography, small groups (e.g., typically six persons) of women and men of various ages collectively review their lives according to a set of themes. This group process provides a cohesive setting for reflection and discussion—a process Birren calls the developmental exchange, in which trust in the group and intimate sharing are incrementally and mutually enhanced. Comparisons and contrasts may be observed, and individuals may see themselves and their lives reflected in the stories of others, removing perceived stigma and fostering [Page 973]connections often across societal divides of age, gender, race, and other social categories.

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