Biographical Self-Reflection as a Resource for Personal Development in Adults

Abstract

The paper focuses on the stages in the development of mind in adults related to biographical self-reflection. The hypothesis of the study was that biographical self-reflection affects meaning-making, self-regulation and adaptation in the adults. The sample consisted of 480 individuals aged 25—65 years. The study measured indicators of biographical self-reflection, social psychological adaptation, life meaningfulness and self-regu- lation. We have found that in the age period of 46-65 years there is a shift from self-reflection on the path of life to self-reflection on life experience, which reinforces the influence of biographical self-reflection on the meaningfulness of life and self-regulation in the adults. Our study also revealed increases in biographical self-reflection at the beginning of age crises in adulthood (30—35, 40—45, 55—60 years) when, as a result of reflective analysis, the adult realizes the need for change in his/her life.

Keywords

• biographical self-reflection
• resource
• development
• path of life
• life experience