Andy’s Quick Hits (181): Sharing memories increases well-being in children

This is a fascinating study over a period of 14 years. It found that children whose mothers had received special coaching in talking about memories with their children experience better well-being as teenagers. So, what was it about this technique that helped so much?

The technique in elaborate reminiscing encourages mothers to reminisce more intensely and elaborately on specific memories with their children. This enabled the children as teenagers to report with more coherence on turning-point narratives. Key moments in their lives. This in turn is correlated with better well-being such as fewer emotional problems, and lower levels of depression and anxiety.

I suspect this gives a better grounding and sense of identity and relationship to oneself and one’s surroundings and key figures such as family or friends. But it is amazing at how easy this is and something that everyone can do — reminder to self to reminisce more actively with my family.

Reference:
Claire Mitchell, Elaine Reese.
Growing Memories Coaching mothers in elaborative reminiscing with toddlers benefits adolescents’ turning‐point narratives and wellbeing.
Journal of Personality, 2022;
DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12703

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