Identity development in adolescence and positive meaning derived from negative and positive past experiences

Abstract

This study examined the types of positive meanings derived from positive and negative past experiences and explored their effects on identity development in adolescence. Participants (494 undergraduates) were asked to recall a single or series of past events that they considered to be the most influential to their current definition of self and sense of who they are. Next, they completed the Identity Scale, Centrality of Event Scale, and other instruments for measuring benefit-finding. Several types of positive meaning—personal growth, attainment of new perspectives and values, interpersonal growth, and positive changes in family relationships—were derived from both negative and positive events central to identity. In addition, “acceptance and personal growth” from negative events and “attainment of new perspectives and values” from positive events were mainly responsible for higher identity achievement levels. Perceiving positive past events as central to identity directly promoted identity achievement. This suggests that, in addition to helping with engagement in positive meaning-making, support or interventions that actively integrate past positive experiences in the life story might lead to identity development and mental health.