Modified Reminiscence Functions Scale
At different times in life, most persons of all ages think about the past. Recalling earlier times can be happy or sad, spontaneous or planned, alone or with others. This normal process is called reminiscence. This questionnaire contains 48 statements that have been identified as reasons why people reminisce.
Read each statement with care. Using the five-point scale, circle your response to indicate how often you reminisce with the stated purpose in mind.
Rate the statements according to the following scale:
Never=1
Rarely=2
Sometimes=3
Often=4
Very Often=5
Example: “I reminisce to help me solve current problems.”
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
Please answer each question. Some of the statements may seem to describe the same reminiscence function but each statement is different from the others. Circle the number that matches your most accurate response. Thank you for your responses.
1. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
pass the time.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
2. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
help me take care of important matters before I die.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
3. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
help me look at the ways I have changed and how I have stayed the same.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
4. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
help me plan for the future.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
5. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
bring me closer to new and old friends.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
6. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
keep alive the memory of a dead loved one.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
7. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
keep painful memories alive.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
8. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
teach younger family members what life was like when I was younger.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
9. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
realize I am a person of worth.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
10. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
have something to do.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
11. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
pass the time during idle or restless hours.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
12. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
gives me a sense of personal completion or wholeness as I near the end of life.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
13. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
see how the past affects my journey through life.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
14. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
help settle a current problem.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
15. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
promote fellowship and a sense of belonging.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
16. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
be loyal to the memory of someone close to me who has died.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
17. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
think about lost chances.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
18. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
give knowledge I have gained to someone else.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
19. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
identify all my good qualities.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
20. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
help me cope with thoughts of my own death.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
21. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
reduce boredom.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
22. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
help me prepare for death.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
23. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
give me a sense of who I am.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
24. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
remind me that I have skills to cope with present problems.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
25. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
establish a common bond between new friends and acquaintances.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
26. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
think of someone who has passed away.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
27. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
recall an earlier time when others treated me unfairly.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
28. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
teach younger persons about cultural values.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
29. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
prove that I can do things as well as the next person.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
30. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
provide self-understanding and growth.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
31. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
relieve sadness.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
32. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
feel less fearful of death.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
33. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
recall my past to help me know who I am now.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
34. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
put current problems in perspective.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
35. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
get people to talk.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
36. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
think of people I was close to but are no longer a part of my life.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
37. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
bring back bitter memories.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
38. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
bridge the generational gap.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
39. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
keep a positive attitude about myself.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
40. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
avoid repeating past mistakes.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
41. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
provide mental stimulation.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
42. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
help me see that I have lived a full life and can now accept death more calmly.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
43. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
better understand myself.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
44. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
see how my strengths can help me solve a current problem.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
45. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
make conversation easier.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
46. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . .
see how satisfying my life has been.
NeverRarelySometimes OftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
47. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
keep memories of old hurts fresh in my mind.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5
48. WHEN I REMINISCE IT IS TO. . . .
pass on family history.
NeverRarelySometimesOftenVery Often
1 2 3 4 5