Abstract
The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the intervening link between engagement in oral history storytelling and change in reported indicators of subjective well-being. Participants for this study included N = 112 community-dwelling centenarians (M =100.89, SD = 1.52) residing in private homes and care facilities in the state of Oklahoma. Preliminary and post assessments of subjective well-being indicators were conducted relative to completion of a 60-minute oral history interview. IBM/SPSS 23.0 was used to conduct paired sample t-tests to determine any evidence of change in statistical mean scores between preliminary and post subjective well-being scores. No significant mean change was evident between pre and post mean scores involving life satisfaction, negative affect, sense of personal growth, or gerotranscendence. However, significant mean differences were detected between preliminary scores of purpose-in-life (M= 33.47, SD= 8.03) and post scores of purpose-in-life (M= 34.82, SD=8.42; t (95) = -1.99); preliminary scores involving sense-of-self (M = 40.81, SD = 5.84); and post scores of sense-of-self (M = 41.98, SD = 5.25; t (98) = -2.95); and preliminary scores of positive affect (M = 32.96, SD = 8.38) and post scores of positive affect (M = 34.88, 883; t (108) = -3.17). Results indicate that engagement in oral history storytelling helps improve sense of purpose, strengthens self-identity, and increases positive emotional expression among persons living 100 years or longer. Further insight into the therapeutic benefits of oral history storytelling relative to quality-of-life for long-lived adults will be addressed.