Centre for Policy on Ageing



Bitter harvest — the implications of continuing war-related stress on reminiscence theory and practice
Author(s)	M P Bender
Journal title	Ageing and Society, vol 17, part 3, May 1997
Pages	pp 337-348
Keywords	War ; Memory and Reminiscence ; Group work ; Depression ; Anxiety ; Stress.
Annotation	This paper looks at how a traumatic event - such as the Second World War - and its long-term effects should be understood in terms of the theoretical framework supporting the use of reminiscence work, particularly Erikson's life stages. Traumatic memories of the war are rarely reported in published accounts of reminiscence work. This paper looks at the interpersonal difficulties of servicemen and civilians in communicating about the war, and why they may find it easier to use emotionally simpler and less unpleasant accounts offered by the media, especially film. Leaders of reminiscence groups often have had little training, and reminiscence as stimulation is trivialised into reminiscence as fun. It is suggested that mental health workers should offer regular supervision and training. The need for clinical awareness of the importance of war in shaping people's lives both before and after the war is highlighted, as is the need for readily available and sympathetic psychotherapeutic services.
Accession Number	CPA-970806001 A
Classmark	VMC: DB: IGG: ENR: ENP: QNH
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.