Life Review and Life‐Story Work

Abstract

Our memories can be a blessing and a curse. Life review refers to a process that involves the recollection as well as the evaluation of positive and negative memories. Research from gerontological, cognitive, and personality psychology has shown that life review is related to mental health and well-being. Life-story work describes various interventions that use personal recollections of one's life to enhance mental health and well-being. There is increasing evidence that life-story work is an effective treatment, in particular for reducing depressive symptoms and promoting well-being of older adults.