Can Time Heal Anything? Exposure to Traumatic Events,Autobiographical Memory,and the Quality of Life Among Older Adults: The Role of Time Perspective

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between autobiographical memory, exposure to traumatic events, and quality of life, in a group of elderly people. Method: The study was conducted using a sample of 362 participants (M_age = 68.35, SD = 6.67; 65.5% women and 34.5% men). They completed the questionnaires to measure quality of life, exposure to traumatic events, autobiographical memory, and time perspective. Results: Direct exposure to major traumatic life events negatively predicted quality of life, while autobiographical memory was not a predictor for quality of life. Time perspective mediated the relationship between exposure to traumatic life events, autobiographical memory, and quality of life. Discussion: How people manage their lives after exposure to traumatic events should be of particular interest to society as a whole and it is necessary to take into account various factors related to quality of life, especially in the case of elderly people.

Keywords

quality of life traumatic life events autobiographical memory time perspective elderly

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