Reminiscences, satisfaction with life and perception of health in older adults

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the reminiscence functions scale in Mexican older adults and test whether the tripartite model of reminiscence functions (self-positive, self-negative and prosocial) predicts life satisfaction and self-rated health in this population. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 330 older adults (aged 58–102 years, M = 68.04; 68.5% female) from Aguascalientes and Michoacán, Mexico, completed the translated 43-item RFS, the satisfaction with life scale and a self-rated health item. Statistical analyses used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tailored for ordinal data to refine the factorial structure, followed by structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate structural relations. Findings CFA supported a 37-item, eight-factor first-order model (M3) after excluding six problematic items, demonstrating excellent goodness-of-fit and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.74–0.88). SEM confirmed that the tripartite model fit the data well: the self-positive factor significantly predicted higher life satisfaction and self-rated health, while the self-negative factor significantly predicted lower levels of both outcomes. The prosocial factor showed no direct association with well-being. Originality/value This study offers the first empirically validated version of the RFS specifically adapted for Mexican older adults. By demonstrating that the tripartite model generalizes to a novel Latin American cultural context, it provides researchers and gerontological practitioners with a culturally reliable tool for assessment and therapeutic reminiscence intervention.

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