The first study of its kind by the University of New Hampshire shows most people shared that their best memories happened before they were 25.

Memory plays a key role in our life stories – who we are and how we’ll be remembered after death. The first study of its kind by the University of New Hampshire shows most people shared that their best memories happened before they were 25.

Doctoral psychology student Kristina Steiner led the research study that took a unique naturalistic approach with the participants instead of beginning with leading questions such as “what happened when you were 25?”

Steiner simply asked 34 people, ages 59 to 92, to tell her their life stories in 30 minutes. (1,4,all) All were Caucasian from a lively retirement community and 76 percent completed undergraduate degrees. One week later, they were asked to organize their life stories in a chapter format.

Participants listed as their most important memories and organized into related chapters common life transitions such as going to college, moving, first job, military experience, marriage, and having children. Most of these happened early in their lives.

Steiner, who studies autobiographical memory, is interested to see how those results might change for future groups of Generation X and Y who have and are experiencing these life transitions typically later in life. She also hopes clinical therapists will use life narrative therapy to assist patients with their identity and life issues.