The Effect of Reminiscence Group Work on Life Satisfaction, Self-Esteem and Mood of Ageing People with Intellectual Disabilities

This study evaluates the effects of reminiscence group work on the subjective well-being of ageing people with intellectual disabilities. The content of the successive group work sessions was manipulated as follows: a control-phase with three 'current topics' sessions, an experimental phase with six 'reminiscence' sessions and finally three 'current topics' sessions. Life satisfaction, perceived self-competence and mood were measured by questionnaires, filled in by the participants and direct support workers. A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design (n = 41) did not detect any changes in life satisfaction and perceived self-competence. For mood, a quasi-experimental ABA-design (n = 41) did not yield an experimental treatment effect, but a significant increase in scores was observed over time. Personality characteristics 'extraversion' and 'emotional stability', but not memory specificity were found to be significant covariates for the mood scores. Although the study's design did not allow us to confirm the effect of reminiscence group work, the analysis nonetheless revealed some useful indications for further research. Also, interviews conducted before and after the programme resulted in positive appraisals of the programme as a worthwhile and meaningful activity for ageing people with intellectual disability.