 5. Narrative Identity and the Life Story 129
TABLE 5.1.  Examples of Constructs and Coding Systems for Narrative Identity
Coding construct Definition Example (of high score)
Agency The degree to which protagonists are 
able to effect change in their own lives 
or influence others in their environment, 
often through demonstrations of self-
mastery, empowerment, achievement, or 
status. Highly agentic stories privilege 
accomplishment and the ability to control 
one’s fate.“I challenge myself to the limit 
academically, physically, and on my job. 
Since that time [of my divorce], I have 
accomplished virtually any goal I set for 
myself.”
Communion The degree to which protagonists 
demonstrate or experience interpersonal 
connection through love, friendship, 
dialogue, or connection to a broad 
collective. The story emphasizes 
intimacy, caring, and belongingness.“I was warm, surrounded by friends 
and positive regard that night. I felt 
unconditionally loved.”
Redemption Scenes in which a demonstrably “bad” 
or emotionally negative event or 
circumstance leads to a demonstrably 
“good” or emotionally positive outcome. 
The initial negative state is “redeemed” 
or salvaged by the good that follows it.The narrator describes the death of her 
father as reinvigorating closer emotional 
ties to her other family members.
Contamination Scenes in which a good or positive event 
turns dramatically bad or negative, such 
that the negative affect overwhelms, 
destroys, or erases the effects of the 
preceding positivity.The narrator is excited for a promotion at 
work but learns it came at the expense of 
his friend’s being fired.
Coherence Narratives with clear causal sequencing, 
thematic integrity, and appropriate 
integration of emotional responses.Participant describes how being attacked 
by a dog as a child has led to his anxiety 
around letting his children adopt a pet.
Meaning making The degree to which the protagonist 
learns something or gleans a message 
from an event. Coding ranges from 
no meaning (low score) to learning a 
concrete lesson (moderate score) to 
gaining a deep insight about life (high 
score).“It really made me go through and relook 
at my memories and see how there’s so 
many things behind a situation that you 
never see. Things are not always as they 
seem.”
Exploratory 
narrative 
processingThe extent of self-exploration as 
expressed in the story. High scores 
suggest deep exploration and/or the 
development of a richly elaborated self-
understanding.“I knew I reached an emotional bottom 
that year . . . but I began making a stable 
life again, as a more stable independent 
person. . . . It was a period full of pain, 
experimentation, and growth, but in 
retrospect it was necessary for me to 
become anything like the woman I am 
today.”
Coherent 
positive 
resolutionThe extent to which the tensions in the 
story are resolved to produce closure and 
a positive ending.“After many years, I finally came to 
forgive my brother for what he did. I now 
accept his faults and, as a result, I think 
he and I have grown closer.”
Note.  From McAdams and McLean (2013, p. 234).