Erikson's theory predicts that reminiscing is an important part of satisfactory adjustment in old age. A questionnaire on reminiscing was administered to elderly institutionalized veterans, along with scales to assess the dimensions of ego adjustment. Those men who reminisced most frequently achieved higher scores on the measure of ego integrity. The relationship between negative affect of reminiscing and ego integrity which was found to exist suggested that reminiscence in this sample was in the form of the life review.