Self-Transcendence and Life Stories of Humanistic Growth Among Late-Midlife Adults

Abstract

Objective: Self-transcendence is the experience of feeling connected to something greater than oneself. Previous studies have shown high scores on self-transcendence are associated with well-being and other psychological benefits, but have rarely examined the lived experiences of highly self-transcendent people. Method: Black and White men and women in late-midlife completed Life Story Interviews and self-report measures of self-transcendence. In Study 1 (N = 144, Mage = 56.4), we used grounded theory methodology to differentiate stories told by participants scoring either extremely high or extremely low on self-transcendence. In Study 2 (N = 125; Mage = 60.4), we created a quantitative coding scheme, and scored 1,375 new life story scenes. Results: In Study 1, six narrative themes were identified (closure, interconnectedness, lifelong learning, secure attachment, self-actualization, spiritual pluralism) as part of a “humanistic growth story.” In Study 2, four of the narrative themes were found to predict self-transcendence scores with significant effect sizes of β = .26 to .47. Conclusions: In our sample, highly self-transcendent individuals tended to narrate their lived experiences as spiritual journeys of humanistic growth. This study adds to our understanding of one path of personality growth in late midlife, that toward self-transcendence.

Why Does Awe Have Prosocial Effects? New Perspectives on Awe and the Small Self

“…This further resonates with Reischer et al’s (2019) finding that those high in self-transcendence narrate varied life experiences with greater emphasis on deepened self-understanding than those low in self-transcendence. These diverse findings contrast the view that awe results in an attentional self–other dichotomy; clearly, awe can result in enhanced self-understanding (involving attention to the self) in addition to increased concern for others, which together reflect an appreciation for interdependence concerns.…”

“…Narrative researchers have begun to investigate phenomena that bear conceptual similarities to awe, although this work is in its infancy. For example, Reischer, Roth, Villarreal, and McAdams (2019) conducted a qualitative analysis of life story episodes (see McAdams, 1993) to uncover the prototypical narrative themes associated with self-transcendence. They found that four themes marked the life stories of those who reported the highest scores on a measure assessing self-transcendence.…”

Agreeableness and Its Consequences: A Quantitative Review of Meta-Analytic Findings

“…The second theme reflects evidence that Agreeableness is associated with greater acceptance of life, ability to adjust, and cross-domain satisfaction. Acceptance of life as it is is a noted correlate of self-transcendence (Reed, 2013; Reischer et al, 2021). Agreeableness is not only associated with greater acceptance of others but also of oneself (self-acceptance), one’s circumstances (quality of life), and one’s works (personal accomplishment, authentic pride).…”

Self-transcendence as a risk and resilience factor in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis

“…Self-transcendence can be observed not only through self-report but also through narrative identity (Reischer et al, 2023(Reischer et al, , 2021, the evolving story of self that individuals use to make meaning out of life (McAdams and McLean, 2013). Structural, affective, and thematic aspects of the narrated life story reflect aspects of an individual's personality (McLean et al, 2020).…”

“…Healthy individuals who score high in self-reported self-transcendence narrate their life stories with strong themes of closure (acceptance of life as it has been lived), self-actualization (congruence with and satisfaction with the self), spiritual pluralism (ideologically inclusive, personal spirituality), and interconnectedness (interpersonal connectedness) (Reischer et al, 2021), all of which positively correlate with psychological well-being and life satisfaction and negatively correlate with depression (Reischer et al, 2017).…”