The aim of this descriptive study was to investigate the Self-Defining Memories (SDMs) in a large sample of 181 older adults (65-90 years; mean age = 73.0 years) and to target the relationships between their different dimensions. The sampling method was nonprobabilistic, based on voluntary participation. Participants were asked to recall three SDMs. They also completed the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a Self-esteem Scale. Almost half of the SDMs were specific and more than a quarter were integrated. Specificity, tension, redemption, contamination sequences, and affective response varied regarding thematic content. Specificity was positively correlated to tension whereas autobiographical reasoning was positively correlated to redemption and negatively linked to emotional response and depression. This research highlighted that identity is constituted by the main types of events that make up a life: interpersonal relationships, life-threatening events, achievement, and leisure.

中文翻译：

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探索老年人自我定义记忆的特征。

这项描述性研究的目的是调查 181 名老年人（65-90 岁；平均年龄 = 73.0 岁）的大样本的自我定义记忆 (SDM)，并确定其不同维度之间的关系。抽样方法是非概率的，基于自愿参与。参与者被要求回忆三个 SDM。他们还完成了简易精神状态检查、医院焦虑和抑郁量表以及自尊量表。几乎一半的 SDM 是特定的，超过四分之一是集成的。主题内容的特异性、紧张感、救赎、感染顺序和情感反应各不相同。特异性与紧张呈正相关，而自传推理与救赎呈正相关，与情绪反应和抑郁呈负相关。