Autobiographical memory and well-being in aging: the central role of semantic self-images

Rathbone, C.J., Holmes, E.A., Murphy, S.E. and Ellis, J.A. (2015) Autobiographical memory and well-being in aging: the central role of semantic self-images. Consciousness and Cognition, 33, 422-431. (doi:10.1016/j.concog.2015.02.017).

Abstract

Higher levels of well-being are associated with longer life expectancies and better physical health. Previous studies suggest that processes involving the self and autobiographical memory are related to well-being, yet these relationships are poorly understood. The present study tested 32 older and 32 younger adults using scales measuring well-being and the affective valence of two types of autobiographical memory: episodic autobiographical memories and semantic self-images. Results showed that valence of semantic self-images, but not episodic autobiographical memories, was highly correlated with well-being, particularly in older adults. In contrast, well-being in older adults was unrelated to performance across a range of standardised memory tasks. These results highlight the role of semantic self-images in well-being, and have implications for the development of therapeutic interventions for well-being in aging.

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Contributors

Author: E.A. Holmes

Author: J.A. Ellis

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