Navigating setbacks and challenges: Insights from autobiographical memories

We all face challenges, setbacks, and failures at various points in life. How we navigate these challenges and create a coherent, healthy self-concept will be important for overall well-being. This research programme aims to explore how individuals develop their ideas of themselves as adaptive and resilient when facing negative or challenging life experiences.

By drawing on autobiographical memories (Wilson & Ross, 2003), the research will investigate the emotional and cognitive self-regulation processes and strategies (see Chang et al., 2018; Cox & McAdams, 2014; Levine et al., 2009) that influence adaptive and resilient self-concepts, which in turn guide future decisions and attitudes toward life challenges.

The project will utilise experimental designs and questionnaires, aiming to include a broad age range of adults including older adults. It could also systematically explore individual differences.