Redemptive processing of impactful COVID‐19 experiences predicts well‐being among older but not younger adults

People engage in autobiographical reasoning to make sense of major life events. This study examined whether younger and older adults utilized different strategies highly emotional impactful experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that would show higher levels redemptive processing, exploratory these respective processes be associated with well-being for each group. Two samples (n = 245; ages 17–22) 224; 55–83) provided written narratives about their most positive negative from pandemic responded a questionnaire assessing well-being. found did not differ use processing. Redemptive processing was uniquely predictive among adults, although this relationship disappeared when events were considered independently. These results suggest ability positively reframe COVID-related could particularly important adults.