The Life Story and the Study of Resilience and Response to Adversity

Abstract

The concept of the life story is discussed as an important means for under-standing continuity and change within lives over time, including means used to make sense of lived experience, particularly response to adversity. This per-spective on the study of the life history is based on current approaches to the study of narrative within both the human sciences and the humanities, and views the life history as a story that is continually revised over time, and with age. The life story may be evaluated, both by its teller and by those listening or reading, in the same terms as any good or "followable" story within our own culture (Ricoeur, 1977). Explanation of the origins, impact, and resolu-tion of adversity appears essential both in the "good" story and the life his-tory understood as a personal narrative or story, and is necessary to maintain continuing experience of personal integrity or coherence across the course of life. Some representative accounts of response to adversity are reviewed which are consistent with the life story approach, focusing on means used in making sense and maintaining a life story that is followable both to self and others. (Psychology)