Revisiting Redemption: A Life Span Developmental Account of the Functions of Narrative Redemption

Abstract

We propose an interdisciplinary developmental model of narrative redemption. Although redemption is one of the most thoroughly studied constructs in the narrative identity literature, research to date has not sufficiently addressed the qualitative structures of redemption, which in turn has led to a lack of attention to the developmental functions that redemption serves in different periods of the life span. Based on a review of existing perspectives on redemption across a variety of disciplines, we propose 2 forms of redemption – return and emergent – that correspond to the dual functions of the life story – stability and change. These forms of redemption also interact with the thematic focus of the narrative, which constitutes the second component of our model. Namely, narratives may emphasize either situation themes or identity themes. We use this revised conceptualization of the structures of redemption to explore the developmental functions of redemption, both theoretically and through narrative examples. We conclude that redemption is an autobiographical tool that can be adapted for different psychosocial functions across the life span.

Moving Beyond Redemptive Magnitude: Examining Redemptive Forms and Themes in Young Adults’ Narratives of Difficult Life Experiences

“…Matching mixed evidence in existing findings (e.g., Adler et al, 2015), redemption and communion were not associated in this study. Regarding autobiographical reasoning variables, redemption writ large was positively associated with narrated growth, and emergent redemption was associated with the highest scores on growth, fitting with theoretical underpinnings for emergent redemption involving personal change (Perlin & Fivush, 2021).…”

“…We aimed to test a more nuanced conceptualization of redemption than has been presented to date (e.g., McAdams et al, 2001). Building on the theoretical work of Perlin & Fivush (2021), we rated young adults' stories of difficult life experiences for redemptive forms (non-redemptive, return, emergent) and redemptive themes (situation, identity). Redemptive forms differed by themes in the challenge and resolution.…”

Moving Beyond Redemptive Magnitude: Examining Redemptive Forms and Themes in Young Adults’ Narratives of Difficult Life Experiences

“…We tested redemptive forms and themes beyond traditional operationalizations, which have emphasized redemptive magnitude (Perlin & Fivush, 2021). This novel conceptualization addresses two aspects of redemption: 1) the categorically different ways individuals redeem difficult life experiences; and 2) whether individuals thematically frame difficult life experiences-their challenges and their resolutions-with a focus on the situation or on identity concerns.…”

“…The PF model further suggests that redemptive forms and redemptive themes are likely to be paired in ways that conform to cultural norms of storytelling (Perlin & Fivush, 2021). Such socio-culturally and developmentally constrained patterns of narration are termed master (i.e., dominant) narratives (Hammack, 2008).…”

“…In response, Perlin & Fivush (2021) advanced a novel model of redemption (hereinafter, the "PF model"; Dunlop, 2021b) that specifies redemptive forms and redemptive themes.…”