Group-Based versus Self-Guided Cognitive Reminiscence Therapy for Psychological Resources and Mental Well-being: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Reminiscence-based interventions involve the recall and adaptive review of meaningful autobiographical memories. This studied compared standard facilitator-guided, group-based brief cognitive-reminiscence therapy (CRT) to a self-guided format, assessing impacts on psychological resources (i.e., self-schemas relating to self-esteem, self-efficacy, meaning in life, and optimism), mental well-being and putative change processes. The community sample (N=93, Mage=42.3 (SD=16.2), 65% females) completed measures at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Despite non-trivial effect sizes between the groups, they were not statistically significant on any outcomes (p > .05 after corrections). Main and within-group effects revealed that CRT in both delivery forms improved self-esteem, self-efficacy, optimism and meaning in life (η² = 0.04-0.10), reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress (η²= 0.02-0.06), and produced effects on automatic negative thoughts and awareness of narrative identity (η²= 0.02), maintained at one-month follow-up. Overall, the results replicate effects of a CRT approach, and indicate that a lower intensity, self-guided adaptation may also have effects. Future studies may require larger sample sizes to detect differences in format, with a self-guided format potentially relevant for individuals with low time commitment or reluctance for social engagement.