Biographical Self-Reflection as a Resource for Personal Development in Adults

2009

Abstract

The paper focuses on the stages in the development of mind in adults related to biographical self-reflection. The hypothesis of the study was that biographical self-reflection affects meaning-making, self-regulation and adaptation in the adults. The sample consisted of 480 individuals aged 25—65 years. The study measured indicators of biographical self-reflection, social psychological adaptation, life meaningfulness and self-regu- lation. We have found that in the age period of 46-65 years there is a shift from self-reflection on the path of life to self-reflection on life experience, which reinforces the influence of biographical self-reflection on the meaningfulness of life and self-regulation in the adults. Our study also revealed increases in biographical self-reflection at the beginning of age crises in adulthood (30—35, 40—45, 55—60 years) when, as a result of reflective analysis, the adult realizes the need for change in his/her life.

General Information

Keywords: biographical self-reflection, resource, development, path of life, life experience, midlife crisis

Journal rubric: Developmental Psychology

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/chp.2016120102

For citation: Klementyeva M.V. Biographical Self-Reflection as a Resource for Personal Development in Adults. Kul'turno-istoricheskaya psikhologiya = Cultural-Historical Psychology, 2016. Vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 14–23. DOI: 10.17759/chp.2016120102. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

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Information About the Authors

Marina V. Klementyeva, Doctor of Psychology, Dozent, Professor, Department of Psychology and Human Capital Development, Finance University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8712-9282, e-mail: marinaklementyva@yandex.ru

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