The stories we tell: how age, gender, and forgiveness affect the emotional content of autobiographical narratives

• Published in: Aging & mental health Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 535 - 543
• Main Authors: Robertson, Sarah M.C., Swickert, Rhonda J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 03.04.2018
• Subjects: aging; Autobiographical narrative; forgiveness; gender; aging; gender; Autobiographical narrative; forgiveness
• ISSN: 1360-7863; 1364-6915
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2016.1269149

Objectives: Researchers have been attempting to understand the variables that predict differences in autobiographical narratives, given that these differences often reveal important information about the psychological characteristics of the person providing the narrative. Method: A sample of young adults (n = 80) and older adults (n = 80) completed a battery of self-report measures in addition to an autobiographical narrative task in which they described a negative emotional experience. These narratives were transcribed and entered into a text analysis program. Results: Results indicated a significant three-way interaction (age × gender × forgiveness) for negative emotion words. Results also indicated two significant two-way interactions (age × forgiveness and gender × forgiveness) and one significant main effect for anger words. There were no significant findings related to anxiety or sad words. Discussion: Results are discussed in the context of Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, which asserts that social and emotional goals shift throughout the lifespan such that older adults are more motivated to regulate their emotions than young adults. Clinical applications and future directions are discussed.