McLean & Pratt (2006) – Life’s little (and big) lessons: Identity status and meaning-making in the turning point narratives of emerging adults
View the publicationShort summary
The authors analyze personal turning point stories and investigate how individuals construct meaning from significant events. The degree of narrative integration is related to identity development.
Methodology
Empirical research with narrative interviews and coding of meaning-making processes.
Key findings
Individuals who actively construct meaning from experiences demonstrate stronger identity development. Narrative integration appears to be an important mechanism for psychological growth.
Practical implication for leadership
Contexts in which people can reflect on and give meaning to their experiences strengthen identity development and psychological stability.
Meaning of INR
Within the INR framework, this study supports the view that behavior is only sustainably integrated once it is incorporated into a narrative. The quality of motivation influences behavior, but narrative meaning determines whether that behavior becomes part of one’s self-concept.
