In this paper, we consider how the life story develops through the creation of self-event connections in narrating experiences. We first outline the ways in which such connections have been implied by existing work on the life story, and then consider the varieties of such connections that we see in our own work. That work suggests that self-event connections can construct both a stable sense of self as well as a sense of how the self has changed across time. Moreover, different types of connections have different implications for the development of the life story. We also consider developmental and other factors which make one or another type of connection more likely. Finally, we consider two issues for future work, as well as some methodological considerations involved in testing those proposals.

Two studies examined age differences in autobiographical reasoning within narratives about personal experiences. In Study 1 (n ϭ 63), people completed brief interviews about turning points and crises in their lives. Older participants were more likely to narrate crises in ways that connected the experience to the speaker's sense of self, that is, to show autobiographical reasoning. This increase was primarily evident in young adulthood and midlife. In Study 2 (n ϭ 115), adults provided written narratives about heterogeneous autobiographical experiences. Age was associated with linear increases in the likelihood of autobiographical reasoning. The results are discussed in terms of narrative approaches to selfdevelopment across the life span.Keywords: autobiographical memory, self, narrative, meaning making, life span development How do people maintain a sense of unity and coherence in their sense of self? For many self-researchers working with more traditional measures of self-concept, the issue has been one of unity across different, equivalently abstract self-conceptions separated by domain or relationship (Campbell et al

In older adults from MAAS who were otherwise functioning independently at baseline, the SF-36 PCS was a suitable precursory measure of the emergence of assistance need after nine years.

No abstract

No abstract