Older adults’ resistance to engaging in reminiscence therapy: A multimodal perspective

This study employs multimodal conversation analysis to examine the precursors of resistance displays during Reminiscence Therapy (RT) sessions, the format of the resistance exhibited by Chinese older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and the ways it was managed by caregivers. It is found that older adults with MCI display resistance through behaviors like initiating repair, denying question premises, changing topics, refusing overtly, being silent, laughing, and giving minimal responses. Non-verbal cues such as gestures, head movements, averted gaze, and facial expressions are also employed to convey their resistance. In response, caregivers employ various facilitative practices to counter this resistance. Resistance occurs when the assumptions embedded in the caregiver’s question conflict with what the older adults have access to, or the question may infringe on the older adult’s epistemic rights. Our findings also highlight the dynamic and collaborative construction of power through negotiation of resistance and facilitation from epistemic perspective. These insights offer valuable guidance for enhancing the effectiveness of RT and fostering a more collaborative relationship between participants during RT sessions.