The Relationship Between Expressing Past Experiences and Psychological Well-Being:

A Developmental Perspective

Abstract

The present study explores how the expression of past experiences across developmental periods relates to psychological well-being, aiming to identify factors that influence individual development. An online survey was conducted with adults in their 20s to 50s, who were asked to reflect on influential experiences from five key developmental stages, ranging from early childhood to the period before entering the workforce. For each stage, participants were classified according to whether they recalled formative experiences and were asked to describe their impacts.

The findings revealed that individuals with higher levels of psychological well-being were more likely to recall and articulate past experiences across multiple life stages. This tendency was particularly pronounced among younger participants. Furthermore, those who exhibited both high well-being and frequent recollection of past events often ascribed positive meaning ─ such as personal growth ─ to negative experiences encountered during adolescence.

These results suggest that the ability to reflect upon and find meaning in one’s past may be a critical psychological resource that supports well-being throughout the lifespan