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.