Composing the self: examining dynamics of meaning and agency in narratives of authenticity and self-transformation

Author

• Matthew J. Schaublin, University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaFollow

Committee Chair

Shelton, Jill T.

Committee Member

Huber, Thomas; Silver, Christopher; Bardi, Carl

Department

Dept. of Psychology

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examined how autobiographical narratives of authentic, inauthentic, and transformative experiences relate to retrospective self-attributions of meaning and agency. Narratives were analyzed using established deductive thematic coding schemes alongside a novel system designed to capture state-level indicators of self-environment fit. An international sample of 171 adults completed narrative prompts and retrospective self-report measures. Narratives were coded using the SAFE framework, capturing self-concept, goal, and social fit, in addition to thematic content. Analyses included MANOVA, hierarchical regression, and mediation models. Results indicated that self-concept fit was the most consistent predictor of meaning. Authentic narratives were associated with higher meaning and agency, whereas inauthentic narratives were associated with lower levels. Transformative narratives were more strongly related to the search for meaning. Retrospective existential comprehension fully mediated the relationship between self-concept fit and meaning, highlighting the role of self-environment fit in constructing coherent self-narratives.

Acknowledgments

The Department of Undergraduate Student Research generously funded this research through the SEARCH scholarship.

Degree

M. A.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts.

Date

8-2026

Subject

Narrative therapy; Constructivism (Psychology); Personal construct therapy; Ego (Psychology); Transpersonal psychology; Psychotherapy--Methodology

Keyword

Authenticity; Meaning; Agency; Transformation; Narrative; Autobiography

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

vii, 64 leaves, civ

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Date Available

1-31-2027

Recommended Citation

Schaublin, Matthew J., "Composing the self: examining dynamics of meaning and agency in narratives of authenticity and self-transformation" (2026). Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations.
https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/1084