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Conflicting interpretations questioning whether brief intervals of real time are perceived as passing more or less rapidly with increasing age have been reported. Reasons for these inconsistent results lie in semantic confusions, in variations in methodology, and in the effects of other mediating variables. The present study examined relationships between age, value of time over both the short and the long term, perceived time to death, self-perceived activity levels, and estimates of brief time intervals in a sample of older institutionalized males. The production method was used to obtain the estimates of time passage. Time intervals were increasingly underestimated with advancing age, indicating that time units are shorter with increasing age. While a number of other variables were interrelated, the only other factor consistently related to time estimates was the short-term value of time. Implications for future research and for interventions in institutional settings are discussed.

The literature regarding age differences in life satisfaction, locus of control and self-concept reveal seriously conflicting results while that on the relationships among these dependent measures has largely supported Erikson's proposals regarding the psychosocial crisis of ego integrity versus despair. A total of ninety-nine V. A. Domiciliary residents, with thirty-three in each of three age groups (50-59, 60-69 and 70+), completed measures of life satisfaction, locus of control and self-concept. Multivariate analysis of covariance demonstrated a significant age difference with the older veterans, who were less well educated and institutionalized longer, more positive on the composite of the three measures. Univariate analysis, however, resulted in significant age differences in self-concept and life satisfaction but not in locus of control. Based upon these findings and the relationships among the dependent variables, the older veterans appear to have resolved the ego integrity versus despair crisis more adequately in spite of having lived for a longer period of time in what has often been viewed as a sterile, blunting environment. Perhaps, contrary to popular assumptions, an institution may provide an environment that facilitates and nourishes the self-esteem and satisfaction of elderly residents.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between dimensions of reminiscence and ego integrity in elderly nursing-home residents. Although frequency of reminiscence was not significantly correlated with ego integrity, using reminiscence for the purpose of life review was positively correlated with high ego-integrity scores in this sample of elderly individuals. This significant, positive relationship supports Butler's life-review theory and provides a link between the life review type of reminiscence and the resolution of Erikson's eighth and final developmental stage--a yardstick of successful aging.

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