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Reminiscence, a specific form of autobiographical memory that aids in the development of a sense of self, serves several functions. The current study extends the literature on reminiscence (between-group differences in reminiscence functions) by examining the heterogeneity of reminiscence to identify patterns of reminiscence using person-centered statistics. The study utilized data collected by Webster and colleagues comprised of 907 participants ranging in age from 17 to 88 years. Latent profile analysis and finite mixture modeling were used to discern distinct profiles of the Reminiscence Functions Scale’s eight functions of reminiscence, age, and gender. A three-class solution fit the data best, indicating that three distinct profiles of reminiscing were present in the data. The Young-Adult Self-Negative reminiscing profile was characterized by the highest scores on the Bitterness Revival and Boredom Reduction factors. The Middle-Adult Self-Positive reminiscing profile had the lowest mean scores on all reminiscing factors among the three profiles, but was relatively high on Identity, Problem-Solving, Teach/Inform, and Conversation factors. The Older-Adult Self-Positive Pro-Social reminiscing profile was characterized by the highest scores on Death Preparation, Identity, Problem-Solving, Teach/Inform, and Conversation factors. This study contributes to our understanding of reminiscence by identifying distinct patterns of reminiscence functions and age and offering further support for the three higher-order factor structure of reminiscing.

Background and Objectives The expanding population of older adults in the United States, coupled with provider hesitance to work with this population, is expected to result in a large service gap, particularly in the health care field. Research on provider hesitancy has largely focused on the impact of attitudes toward older adults and professional competency, with some recent explorations of social influences. There is currently no comprehensive measure that includes all of these areas. Research Design and Methods The present study outlines the development of the Working with Older Adults Scale (WOAS), which is grounded in the theory of planned behavior as applied to working with older adults. The WOAS is composed of 20 items, rated on a 7-point Likert scale, that make up four subscales: (i) Attitude, (ii) Subjective Norm, (iii) Perceived Behavioral Control, and (iv) Intention. Results Results indicated that, for the young adult college student sample it was developed with, the measure has an excellent factor structure and good internal reliability and construct validity. Consistent with the theory of planned behavior model, intention to work with older adults was significantly predicted by attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Subjective norm accounted for the greatest amount of variance. Further analyses revealed differential effects of age, gender, and experience on the WOAS subscales. Discussion and Implications The WOAS, and underlying theory, offers new insights and ideas for future exploration of the service gap between older adults’ needs and professional availability across health service fields.

The present study extends previous work on communication after sexual activity by investigating the influence of “pillow talk” over time within relationships that have experienced a recent transgre...

Meaning in life is the term used to describe how people make sense of their lives, how they commit to pursuing purpose in life, and how they come to see their lives as significant and worthwhile. Committing wrongs against other people or our own moral code, might—perhaps even ought to—challenges these components of a meaningful life. In fact, such wrongs may be considered to constitute a rupture in meaning, with a potential to spark intractable cycles of rumination. In this chapter, we propose that self-forgiveness and meaning work together to enable people to resolve their rumination, learn more about themselves, make reparations, and move toward healing their own hurt and that which they caused in others.