title: The Incremental Validity of Narrative Identity in Predicting Well-Being: A Review of the Field and Recommendations for the Future.
abstract: Grounded in four theoretical positions-structural, cognitive, phenomenological, and ethical-the present review demonstrates the empirical evidence for the incremental validity of narrative identity as a cross-sectional indicator and prospective predictor of well-being, compared with other individual difference and situational variables. In doing so, we develop an organizational framework of four categories of narrative variables: (a) motivational themes, (b) affective themes, (c) themes of integrative meaning, and (d) structural elements. Using this framework, we detail empirical evidence supporting the incremental association between narrative identity and well-being, a case that is strongest for motivational, affective, and integrative meaning themes. These categories of themes serve as vital complimentary correlates and predictors of well-being, alongside commonly assessed variables such as dispositional personality traits. We then use the theoretically grounded review of the empirical literature to develop concrete areas of future research for the field.
authors.affiliation: Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA, USA jadler@olin.edu.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.affiliation: Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lodi-Smith
authors.affiliation: University of Quebec at Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Frederick L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Philippe
authors.affiliation: University of Quebec at Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Iliane
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Houle
mesh_terms: D000066498:Emotional Adjustment; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D063545:Personal Narratives as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: incremental validity; narrative identity; personality structure; well-being