Life Story Method Research Articles

Agency and Communion, Ineffectiveness and Alienation

McAdams’ life-story method has been used extensively with Caucasian and African American individuals, but not immigrants. We investigated the life stories of 40 Latino and Southeast Asian 15- to 18-year-olds, either first- or second-generation immigrants (50% female), half high-achieving, half low-achieving. Immigrant youth talked about agency and communion but also their opposites-ineffectiveness and alienation. As predicted, agency correlated with academic standing and significantly increased with age. Themes of ineffectiveness were significantly more common than agency, while themes of communion significantly exceeded alienation. Communion was significantly more common than agency, but the two also were significantly positively correlated in this sample from collectivist cultures, as were ineffectiveness and alienation. Immigrant youth negotiated their emerging autonomy through consideration of their accomplishments, failures, connections with, and alienation from family and friends.

The Work of Cultural Transition: An Emerging Model.

In today’s uncertain, fluid job market, transnational mobility has intensified. Though the concept of cultural transition is increasingly used in sport and career research, insight into the processes of how individuals produce their own development through work and relationships in shifting cultural patterns of meaning remains limited. The transnational industry of sports, in which athletes’ psychological adjustment to cultural transitions has implications for both performance and meaningful life, serves as a backdrop for this article. This study applied the life story method to interviews with 15 professional and semi-professional athletes, focusing particularly on the cultural transition aspect of their transnational athletic careers. The aims of the study were to identify the developmental tasks of cultural transitions and strategies/mechanisms through which cultural transitions were enacted. Three underlying mechanisms of the transition process that assisted athletic career adaptability were social repositioning, negotiation of cultural practices, and meaning reconstruction. Based on the data analyses, a temporal model of cultural transition is proposed. The results of this research provide professionals working in the fields of career counseling and migrant support with a content framework for enhancing migrant workers’ adaptabilities and psychological wellbeing.

Trauma in the childhood stories of people who have injected drugs

Aim: To document childhood trauma in the life stories of people who have injected drugs. Method: Fifty-five participants (38 m, 17 f) recruited via Scottish recovery networks, who had injected drugs in the previous five years, were interviewed by peer researchers using the Life Story method. Results: Remembered childhood trauma included persistent violence, repeated sexual abuse, neglect and traumatic bereavements. Many traumas were related to adult alcohol use. Few participants told of no trauma, some of severe trauma contributing to subsequent drug problems, some recounted stories including traumatic events, but not linked to later drug problems. A few told of initial severe behavioural problems leading to trauma for the child and to drug problems. Drug problems followed trauma by various routes, without straightforward cause and effect: direct use of drugs as avoidant coping; juvenile heavy recreational use that escalated; forming relationships in mid to late teens with criminals. For men, this involved enmeshment in drug dealing, crime and prison. Some women formed relationships with men who injected drugs, who often introduced them to drugs, and some of whom were violently abusive. Heroin injecting was an effective means of blotting out distressing thoughts and feelings. Although, childhood stories also contained positive memories, factors that might have promoted resilience were rarely mentioned. Conclusions: Severe childhood trauma was common and gravitated people towards problem drug use via various pathways. Participants had often normalised the problems and did not remember adult help. Parental alcohol use contributed to trauma. Addiction services need to be more trauma minded.

Young Adolescents' Situational Coping during Adult Intimate Partner Violence

A purposively recruited, ethnically diverse sample (N = 27) of young adolescents and their mothers in domestic violence shelters described adolescents' coping responses during adult intimate partner violence as part of a qualitative study using Life Story methods. Findings revealed competing demands and several responses, including: leaving home, collaborating with family members for safety, calling police, verbally or physically intervening, seeking help outside the family, and palliative responses. Participants provided context-rich accounts of coping and coping goals during violence, including information on help-seeking and police involvement. Implications are discussed for future research and developing interventions to improve safety and psychological outcomes.

História de vida: aspectos teóricos da Psicossociologia clínica

The aim of this text is to present the theoretical basis for the Life Stories method, based on the Clinical Psychosociology approach. The concepts of this method are presented, such as Life Stories, Clinical Approach and Historic authenticity. The academic elements of this method are presented as well as professional intervention. Understanding this method avoids blaming people for their choices, and gives the opportunity of recognizing the influence that individuals have on society.

Contribuições do Método História de Vida para Estudos sobre Identidade: o exemplo do estudo sobre professoras gerentes

Recentemente, o método história de vida tem sido usado na área de Administração como uma importante estratégia metodológica nas pesquisas qualitativas. Com esse método busca-se compreender os grupos ou a coletividade a partir de trajetórias de vida individuais. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho é discutir a contribuição do método da história de vida para a compreensão da dinâmica identitária de professoras gerentes de uma universidade pública, por meio de um exemplo proveniente de um estudo empírico. Verificou-se, a partir dos relatos de quatro professoras gerentes, que o resgate de memórias do passado e de valores, fatos, normas e acontecimentos ligados à socialização primária e organizacional das entrevistadas contribui para a compreensão da dinâmica identitária delas. Emergiram algumas categorias de análise que expressam relações entre a história de vida e a identidade como: a descontinuidade, subjetividade e a importância de “dar voz ao sujeito”; o individual e o social e as transformações sócio-históricas: uma interação dinâmica na construção de identidades; e a análise temporal na construção de identidades.

Childcare choices and voices: using interpreted narratives and thematic meaning-making to analyse mothers’ life histories

This paper focuses on the methodology of a study that asked what factors English mothers of very young babies consider when making employment decisions and childcare choices, and sought their views on the idea of carers in day care settings ‘loving’ their children. After a characterisation of life historical study, a four-staged process of analysis demonstrates how meaning was made from data created with six mothers. The discussion ‘voices’ their stories through excerpts from their expressions of emotion. The conclusion acknowledges insights generated into the dilemmas of mothers’ choices, but importantly points up how the careful listening and critical attending required by life historical study themselves generate stories that ‘go awry’ to reveal something of personal and of social importance. The paper concludes that using life story methods is a difficult process which may create discomfort for researcher and ‘researched’ long after the study is finished.

Stigma perspective of siblings of children with a major childhood burn injury

To understand the stigma perspective of siblings of children with major burn injury. A mixed method, qualitative-dominant study was conducted. The life story method was used for the qualitative portion. Only narratives from those family members describing the sibling's appearance change were used (N = 18 participants). Stigma experienced by siblings was first described by parents or noninjured siblings; they described how the sibling with changed appearance was stared at, ridiculed, or teased when they entered a new social situation. Only when specifically asked did the children with burn injury talk about their problems, saying, "This always happens when I go somewhere new." Children with changed appearance focused on normalizing their lives in a positive way. Oftentimes, it was a parent or noninjured sibling who would describe manifestations of stigma and ways they tried to protect the child with burn injury.

Muchas formas de transexualidad: diferencias de ser mujer transexual y de ser mujer transgénero

Se investigaron las diferencias en las narrativas de mujeres transexuales y transgénero, con énfasis en los significados de género, sexualidad y cuerpo. La muestra estuvo compuesta por diez participantes (cinco mujeres transexuales y cinco mujeres transgénero) a las cuales se les entrevistó con el método de relatos de vida, siendo analizados los datos a través del análisis de contenido.Los resultados arrojaron que la transexualidad es más amplia de lo que plantea el DSM IV, ya que no todas las personas transexuales rechazan el cuerpo, como es el caso de las personas transgénero. Se hacen necesarias más investigaciones acerca de la transexualidad, junto con discutir la responsabilidad ética de la Psicología en el pase para cambio de sexo.

Becoming “American-Italian”: an Immigrant's Narrative of Acquiring English as an L2

This article tells the story of a child immigrant's L2 acquisition process. The narrative demonstrates the effects of social and academic factors on motivation to acquire an L2 and the result of immigration at a young age on cultural identity formation. The article begins by discussing the need for research into sociocultural factors in the second language acquisition process and by reviewing recent research on motivation and identity. The author then describes the development of a coding scheme of motivation and identity factors for the study. The author uses life story and visual anthropology methods to present the narrative of an Italian man who immigrated to the United States at age seven and analyzes the narrative according to the coding scheme. The narrative and its discussion reveal the way that teachers contribute to students' L2 success and the importance of fostering hybrid cultural identities among L2 learners.

Experiences of leaving prison for people with intellectual disability

PurposeThe support given to prisoners when they leave prison has a bearing on their success in starting a new life and on community safety. This paper aims to examine the community re‐entry experiences of ten people with an intellectual disability in Queensland, Australia.Design/methodology/approachThe findings in this paper are part of a wider study on the life stories of ex‐prisoners with an intellectual disability. Seven male and three female participants with intellectual disability were interviewed using a semi‐structured life story method. Interviews were respectful of the communication styles of participants and involved multiple interview sessions, ranging from two to nine interviews per person. Data were analysed using narrative and thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo 8 software.FindingsParticipants found the process of leaving prison an emotional event, often clouded with both confusion about when release was to occur, and uncertainly as to what they could expect on the outside. The need for concrete information and coordinated hands‐on assistance in negotiating supports in the community have significant implications for correctional and community services.Originality/valueThis study captures the perspectives of people with intellectual disability on community re‐entry. These perspectives are often overlooked in policy and practice developments in the field of corrections. Yet without understanding this group, the field is unable to address their particular needs.

Understanding the Role of Occupation in Ageing: Four Life Stories of Older Viennese Women

This article presents the life stories of four older women in Vienna in order to better understand the role of occupation in the course of ageing. A qualitative life-story method in the narrative tradition was used as a design of this multiple case study. The stories presented extend beyond an illness or deficit narrative and contribute to a more multifaceted narrative of the subjective experience of ageing in occupational terms in connection with identity. The women did not perceive themselves as old or sick despite problems in mobility, the presence of chronic disease and advanced age. This was associated with their engagement in occupation that was meaningful and linked to their identity. Engaging occupation is the means to continue, test, and adapt to the ageing self. Because occupation is like a litmus-test of one's identity and capacities, the women used it as a measure of change while ageing. Using Atchley's continuity theory, the attempt of the four older women to maintain a balance between adapting and struggling to continue their occupations is discussed in relation to their identity. The results expand Atchley's continuity theory by adding an occupational perspective.

Using biographical narrative and life story methods to research women's movements: Sisterhood and after

The use of oral history as a tool for archives, museums and libraries is well established, as is its association with feminist research methodologies and histories. Sisterhood and after is an oral history research project with an archival aim. Providing a detailed account of the oral history method undertaken, we argue that though distinct, these two remits are not incompatible. Drawing from interview examples we argue that the requirements of building an oral history archive creates a wealth of material which challenges any single narrative of feminist history and that even though the method focusses on the individual, it situates that person in a broad context and so keeps the social in view. Oral history is therefore an invaluable tool for today's researchers of today and for those building archives for tomorrow's researchers.

Using biographical narrative and life story methods to research women's movements: FEMCIT

This paper discusses the use of the biographical narrative interpretative method (BNIM) in a research project that investigated the ways in which intimate life and intimate citizenship have changed in the wake of the cultural and political interventions of women's movements and other movements for gender and sexual equality and change. It outlines the research design of the study, which was the “Intimate Citizenship” work package of the FEMCIT research project, and describes how the biographical narrative interpretative method enabled the project's central research questions to be addressed.

Perspectives on US Domestic Violence Emergency Shelters: What do Young Adolescent Residents and their Mothers Say?

As part of a larger qualitative study using Life Story methods, an ethnically diverse, purposive sample (n = 27) of young adolescents (ages 12–14) and their mothers residing in four US domestic violence emergency shelters were interviewed about their perspectives of shelter life. Youth reported aspects they liked, most often expressing that they liked other families residing in the shelter. More than one-half expressed disliking shelter rules restricting their behaviour. Mothers expressed positive feelings about the shelters overall. They emphasised the package of services received, safety, the shelter's effectiveness in meeting their needs, and positive interactions with personnel. Mothers’ most frequently suggested improvement was for more space and services for children and youth. Results of youth and mother interviews are contextualised by descriptions of the shelters they resided in, based on interviews with personnel at each shelter. This article discusses findings within developmental and human rights frameworks, considering participant views in terms of normative adolescent development and non-normative histories of violence exposure and residential instability, while highlighting the human rights-informed value of youth perspectives for research, programme development, and youth development. It discusses implications for research and practice, with recommendations for developing shelter environments, programmes and policies responsive to young adolescent residents.

Becoming a social entrepreneur: understanding motivations using life story analysis

Using the life story method, 18 social bricoleurs (small scale social entrepreneurs) from eight countries were interviewed to identify motivations in becoming social entrepreneurs. Motivations included pull factors, such as an awareness of social injustice, and push factors, such as job dissatisfaction. Analysis indicates that social bricoleur motivations are similar in different cultures. When referring to the present or future, many social entrepreneurs seek scalability, i.e., an expansion of their vision and actions evolving from small scale organisations to larger organisations that serve multiple populations and needs.

Challenges and Coping Styles of Fathers as Primary Medical Caretakers: A Multicultural Qualitative Study

Research has focused heavily on mother's experiences of children with life-threatening illnesses. In contrast, fathers’ experiences, especially among minorities, are scarcely discussed. This study examined the experiences of 15 fathers as primary medical caretakers of children diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease. Using a life story method, fathers completed semistructured interviews regarding their overall experiences. Data was analyzed using narrative analysis with multiple case studies. Results indicated single, low socioeconomic status, and immigrant fathers with limited English proficiencies were at highest risk for coping difficulties. This study also examined gender biases that men experienced and masculine norms in coping.

How other people shape our careers: A typology drawn from career narratives

From a constructionist perspective, we examine how non-managerial employees make sense of the part played by other people in shaping their careers. Taking as our starting point the methodological limitations of existing research into career shapers and arguing for a perspective that starts with actors’ situated understandings, we use a life story method to develop a new typology of career shapers. Grounded in our data, we distinguish and contrast the shaper categories of adviser, informant, witness, gatekeeper and intermediary in terms of their perceived impact on individuals, including their career aspirations, career enactment, and their career world-view and career self-concept. At the level of practice, locating themselves within this framework will enable line managers, human resources staff and professional careers advisers to be explicit about the career support they can offer, and to identify other potentially valuable career shapers.

Life story research: A relevant methodology for counsellors and psychotherapists

AbstractAims: This paper introduces, describes and proposes life story research as an important, relevant and appropriate contribution to counselling and psychotherapy research. It shows how narrative knowledge is created and constructed through the stories people tell about their lived experiences and explores the concept of ‘narrative knowing’ (Bruner, 1986). Methods: Drawing on life story research with people who linked their history of problematic drug use with experiences of historic trauma/abuse, the paper contributes to the ongoing discussion related to the similarities/differences between therapy and research and what we might learn from each that informs the other. Implications for practice: The paper offers narrative ideas and practices as ways of researching matters of social and psychological importance. It suggests that therapists (and counselling researchers) could learn from what participants tell us about the therapeutic value of using life story methods which one participant described as helping him to face ‘out into the world, without unduly or specifically delving into, or focusing on [my] emotional state’. This learning may be particularly relevant for therapists working with traumatised clients.

Giving Silence a Chance: The Importance of Life Stories for Research on Refugees

In order to capture refugees experiences and narratives it is necessary to create space within research to be able to notice the untold within the interviews. This article focuses on the ways that Iranian women refugees (in the Netherlands and the United States) narrate their experiences of the past and the present or stay silent when the experiences are too difficult to talk about. Including the moments of silence within the process of analysing the stories has helped the researcher to discover different layers within the interviews. The main argument of this article is that the combination of the life stories method and the comparative nature of the research have especially helped to find out about the different ways in which the past is positioned within the present narratives. The life stories in particular have created the necessary space to listen to the often untold stories of refugees. This has enabled the researcher to go beyond the expressed words in order to understand different layersof expression within the narratives. (authors)