Abstract
Background
Reminiscence-based interventions involve the recall and adaptive review of meaningful autobiographical memories. The current component study compared standard facilitator-guided, group-based brief cognitive-reminiscence therapy (CRT) to the single component of self-guided homework sheets only, assessing impacts on psychological resources (i.e., self-schemas relating to self-esteem, self-efficacy, meaning in life, and optimism), mental well-being and putative change processes.
Methods
The community sample (N = 93, Mage=42.3 (SD = 16.2), 65% females) were randomised to conditions and completed measures at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up.
Results
Despite non-trivial effect sizes between the groups, they were not statistically significant on any outcomes (p > .05 after corrections). Main and within-group effects revealed that both groups improved self-esteem, self-efficacy, optimism and meaning in life (η² = 0.04–0.10), reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress (η²= 0.02–0.06), and produced effects on automatic negative thoughts and awareness of narrative identity (η²= 0.02), maintained at one-month follow-up.
Conclusions
Overall, the results replicate effects of a CRT group-based approach and indicate that a single component of self-guided homework tasks may also have effects. Future studies may require larger sample sizes to detect differences in format, with the homework tasks potentially relevant for individuals with low time commitment or reluctance for social engagement.