1- University of Tehran
Abstract: (53 Views)
Background & Objectives: Autobiographical memory (AM) is a type of declarative memory that refers to the personal past and allows the recovery of personal semantic data as well as episodic memories. The ability to remember personal events is at the heart of what defines an individual as a person with obligations, roles, and commitments in a given society. It is therefore crucial for a sense of identity, continuity, and direction in life. AM consists of several cognitive and emotional components, such as sensory information, imagery, narrative, and spatial knowledge, that shape the subjective experience of remembering past events, which has been key in understanding autobiographical memory. One cognitive hallmark of aging is memory decline affecting multiple memory systems, including those involved in autobiographical memory. People often claim their memory for their past is better or worse than the one of others. Some seem to remember their past vividly and as coherent stories, while for others, memories of their personal past may seem vague and fragmented. This study was conducted with the aim of explaining this difference and discovering the categories and concepts affecting this type of memory in the elderly.
Methods: The current research has been conducted with a qualitative method and a grounded theory. The target population was all the elderly people of Isfahan city in 2023. Through purposive sampling and theoretical saturation, 30 elderly people were selected and interviewed. Unstructured interview was used for screening and data collection. Data analysis was done based on Corbin and Strauss model with open coding and then conceptualized in the form of subcategories and core categories.
Findings: 64 concepts, 22 subcategories, 11 core categories and 1 axial category were extracted from the analysis of the interviews. The main categories include family characteristics, personality traits and rich environment (causal conditions), interpersonal relationships, emotional index events and socio-economic conditions (intervening or mediating conditions), motivation, activity level and spirituality (action and reaction strategies), narration/ Coherence and psychological problems (outcome), and life story (central category) were discovered and extracted, and finally a theoretical model was presented. According to the findings of the research, the process of AM followed two paths. The group with high autobiographical memory qualities led to the experience of narration/coherence in old age. In fact, better initial conditions had a direct relationship with the use of more efficient strategies and healthier outcomes. On the other hand, the weaker initial conditions in the elderly along with unhealthy strategies such as the less activity level and motivation led to the isolation of the elderly and more psychological problems in him.
Conclusions: Autobiographical memory, as one of the important and influential factors on successful cognitive aging, is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that is influenced by cognitive, emotional and interpersonal dimensions. Recognizing and understanding the explanatory and multidimensional models affecting this memory can help mental health specialists in the area of designing and implementing effective preventive and therapeutic interventions on reducing autobiographical memory problems and increasing the well-being of the elderly. The results of the current research help to expand knowledge in this field and provide a basis for further studies in the field of recognition and evaluation of variables related to successful aging.
Methods: The current research has been conducted with a qualitative method and a grounded theory. The target population was all the elderly people of Isfahan city in 2023. Through purposive sampling and theoretical saturation, 30 elderly people were selected and interviewed. Unstructured interview was used for screening and data collection. Data analysis was done based on Corbin and Strauss model with open coding and then conceptualized in the form of subcategories and core categories.
Findings: 64 concepts, 22 subcategories, 11 core categories and 1 axial category were extracted from the analysis of the interviews. The main categories include family characteristics, personality traits and rich environment (causal conditions), interpersonal relationships, emotional index events and socio-economic conditions (intervening or mediating conditions), motivation, activity level and spirituality (action and reaction strategies), narration/ Coherence and psychological problems (outcome), and life story (central category) were discovered and extracted, and finally a theoretical model was presented. According to the findings of the research, the process of AM followed two paths. The group with high autobiographical memory qualities led to the experience of narration/coherence in old age. In fact, better initial conditions had a direct relationship with the use of more efficient strategies and healthier outcomes. On the other hand, the weaker initial conditions in the elderly along with unhealthy strategies such as the less activity level and motivation led to the isolation of the elderly and more psychological problems in him.
Conclusions: Autobiographical memory, as one of the important and influential factors on successful cognitive aging, is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that is influenced by cognitive, emotional and interpersonal dimensions. Recognizing and understanding the explanatory and multidimensional models affecting this memory can help mental health specialists in the area of designing and implementing effective preventive and therapeutic interventions on reducing autobiographical memory problems and increasing the well-being of the elderly. The results of the current research help to expand knowledge in this field and provide a basis for further studies in the field of recognition and evaluation of variables related to successful aging.
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Psychology
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