The impact of reminiscence on socially active elderly women's reactions tosocial comparisons

The goal of this study was to experimentally examine how social comparison with younger and same-age targets influences perceptions of future well-bei ng and mood among elderly women. In addition, we assessed whether life sati sfaction and reminiscence about a positive former self moderated these reac tions. Results indicated that reminiscence prior to comparison with a succe ssful, younger target improved well-being of women who were low in life sat isfaction. Also, downward comparison with a same-age target had a more nega tive impact on low-satisfaction women than did upward comparison with a sam e-age target. In conclusion, this study suggests that reminiscing has an im pact on how elderly women, especially those who are relatively dissatisfied with their current life status, respond to social comparisons.