Centre for Policy on Ageing



Creative reminiscence as an early intervention for depression — results of a pilot project
Author(s)	E Bohlmeijer, M Valenkamp, G Westerhof
Journal title	Aging & Mental Health, vol 9, no 4, July 2005
Pages	pp 302-304
Source	http://www.tandfonline.com
Keywords	Memory and Reminiscence ; Depression ; Pilot ; Netherlands.
Annotation	Reminiscence may help in resolving conflicts from the past and making up the balance of one's life. Life review may be further enhanced by the creative expression of memories in stories, poems or drawings. In this way, people are encouraged to create and discover metaphors, images and stories that symbolically represent the subjective and inner meaning of their lives. This article describes a new intervention which combines reminiscence and creative expression, aimed at early treatment of depression. A pilot project showed that the intervention, "Searching for meaning in life", may generate small-sized effects in reducing depression. Moreover, the intervention appears to generate medium sized effects that enhance mastery. Possible ways of improving the intervention's effectiveness are described. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-060202216 A
Classmark	DB: ENR: 4UC: 76H
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.