Narrative identity refers to the dynamic inner story people create to connect their past, present, and expected future, fostering self-continuity and coherence over time (McAdams, 2001). It differs from other layers of personality, like traits or psychological adaptations, because it provides an “insider perspective” on personhood, making the individual the primary expert on their own life story and serving as an author who organizes or “binds” the personality together (McAdams & McLean, 2013; McAdams, 2020). Narrative identity development depends on social and cognitive skills that emerge during adolescence and early adulthood, enabling people to reflect on both past and envisioned future life events through processes of autobiographical reasoning (Habermas & Bluck, 2000; McAdams, 2001). A coherent, stable, and meaningful narrative identity is important for mental health and well-being (Adler et al., 2016).
Narrative identity has traditionally been examined through labor-intensive content coding procedures (e.g., Adler, 2012; Adler et al., 2015), but recent developments have introduced self-report measures that offer a more accessible way to assess various aspects of narrative identity (Hallford & Mellor, 2017). While a substantial body of research has linked adaptive narrative identity to higher well-being and disturbed narrative identity to elevated mental illness (Adler et al., 2012; Cowan et al., 2021; Jensen et al., 2020; see also Lind et al., 2020 for an integrative review), only one existing self-report measure – the Narrative Identity Self-Evaluation Scale (NISE; Lind et al., 2024) – includes a dedicated subscale capturing disturbances in narrative identity. In the current study, we validated a Polish version of the NISE, and we examined how NISE scores, particularly the disturbed narrative identity subscale, relate to various aspects of mental health, including depressive symptoms, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
Background: Research into posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic depreciation (PTD) has predominantly relied on cross-sectional quantitative designs, often overlooking the subjective nuances and temporal dynamics of adaptation. This study aimed to explore the long-term evolution of perceived posttraumatic outcomes and identify emergent domains of change that transcend traditional theoretical models.
Methods: We utilised a longitudinal qualitative design, following a purposive sample of 26 psychology graduates (23 women, 3 men; age M = 34.42, SD = 9.10) over a 36-month interval. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews at two time points: T1 (within 12 months of a seismic life event) and T2 (36 months later). Reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) was employed, integrating deductive theory-driven coding based on established models with the inductive discovery of emergent themes to map individual trajectories of change.
Results: Posttraumatic adaptation was characterised by a shift toward narrative complexity, with PTG and PTD coexistence increasing from 42.3% at T1 to 61.5% at T2. Core findings include the identification of emergent domains—Self-Alignment and Autonomous Regulation (growth) and Existential Vulnerability and Insecurity (depreciation)—which were present in over 70% of narratives. We identified four distinct longitudinal trajectories: Persistence, Transience, Latent Impact, and Emergence of Complexity. A dominant pattern was ‘Increased Strength at a Relational Cost,’ where personal empowerment coexisted with an enduring loss of interpersonal trust.
Conclusions: Posttraumatic adaptation is a non-linear, ongoing process of narrative reconstruction that continues long after the initial crisis. The results underscore the limitations of cross-sectional snapshots and traditional inventories, highlighting the need for longitudinal monitoring to distinguish transient coping from permanent personality transformation. Clinically, the findings suggest that fostering authenticity and self-alignment may be vital for long-term recovery.
This article examines the role of technodigital objects in the homes of older adults (66+) in Warsaw, focusing on how smart and non-smart objects shape “aging in place.” Using Participatory Action Research—including in-depth interviews, VR experiments, and participant photography—the study explores how seniors use “wise” and nostalgic objects together or instead of smart technologies. The research highlights the interplay between “smart” and “wise” concepts of home. By analyzing appliances, medical devices, and nostalgic items, we demonstrate how generational habitus and accumulated wisdom coalesce with smart technologies in technodigital domesticity. Ultimately, the paper provides a nuanced framework for understanding the corporeal-material aspects of aging, showcasing the interplay of nostalgia and wisdom with smart technologies at home.
This paper examines decision-making in cultural heritage security management through the case of Karol Estreicher Jr. (1906-1984), an art historian, university professor, and one of the leading figures involved in the protection and post-war restitution of Polish cultural heritage. The analysis focuses on his efforts to safeguard the Veit Stoss Altarpiece - one of the largest and most important late Gothic altarpieces in Europe - before, during, and after the Second World War. Using a retrospective case study approach, the analysis combines historical sources, a review of 177 press articles published between 1946 and 2021, contemporary legal regulations concerning the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflicts, and an interview with the current custodian of the Altarpiece. The findings show that many of the challenges resulted from the absence of formal protection plans, coordinated risk management, and institutional cooperation. The case also demonstrates how risks may be incorrectly identified and assessed under conditions of uncertainty. While the decision-makers primarily anticipated the threat of physical destruction resulting from bombing and military operations of the Nazi authorities, they underestimated the likelihood of cultural looting by the occupying forces. The study therefore highlights the importance of early planning, systematic risk assessment, scenario analysis, and stakeholder coordination in safeguarding cultural heritage before and during armed conflicts.
