Who has not mentally revisited a moment in life,
reflected upon it, found it lacking, imagined and
retrospectively desired a better alternative? This
is the essence of regret. Regret may be useful if
one can effect change in what is regretted or learn
from it. What happens, however, when opportunities
to effect change or to pursue unattained goals are
diminished, as in later life? This study focuses on
the experience of regret in older adults as
expressed in in-depth life history interviews, using
quantitative and qualitative methods. The main
research questions were: Do personality and
dispositional variables have differential impact on
frequency and intensity of regret? Does regret have
impact on older adults psychological and physical
well-being? What are regret themes and dimensions in
older adults? Are there high- and low-regret
profiles that may indicate a tendency to be
regretful?
This book, based on an empirical study, addresses
researchers in adult development and
aging, life review, autobiographical memory,
reminiscence and narrative but is also of interest
to clinicians, therapists and individuals interested
in regret.
reflected upon it, found it lacking, imagined and
retrospectively desired a better alternative? This
is the essence of regret. Regret may be useful if
one can effect change in what is regretted or learn
from it. What happens, however, when opportunities
to effect change or to pursue unattained goals are
diminished, as in later life? This study focuses on
the experience of regret in older adults as
expressed in in-depth life history interviews, using
quantitative and qualitative methods. The main
research questions were: Do personality and
dispositional variables have differential impact on
frequency and intensity of regret? Does regret have
impact on older adults psychological and physical
well-being? What are regret themes and dimensions in
older adults? Are there high- and low-regret
profiles that may indicate a tendency to be
regretful?
This book, based on an empirical study, addresses
researchers in adult development and
aging, life review, autobiographical memory,
reminiscence and narrative but is also of interest
to clinicians, therapists and individuals interested
in regret.