Abstract

The object of the present study was two fold. One was to darify the concept of reminiscence by examining its functions and to construct a Korean-reminiscence functions scale for elderly(K-RFS-E). Second was to compare the gender difference in reminiscence functions. The the items of the reminiscence functions scale for Korean elderly was developed though analyzing existing reminiscence functions scales, and free response survey and were given to 295 people aged over 60 and factor analyzed. Though this analysis, 27 items and 9 factors were extracted. Based on this scale, gender differences were compared and all the factors showed a significant gender difference as well as the total reminiscence functions score. Especially, male elderly showed grater frequency in identity exploration, transmission, and conversation whereas the female elderly showed greater frequency in contrition, intimacy maintenance, escapist, death preparation and problem solving factors.