Contemporary Family Therapy

, Volume 18, Issue 4, pp 567–587 | Cite as

Narratives of escape: A hermeneutic study of resiliency

  • John Plummer
  • Carmen Knudson-Martin
Article
  • 60 Downloads

Abstract

This study examines the structure of narratives told by well-functioning adults who were “at-risk” as children. Participants told stories of their childhood based on pictures they selected from the TAT test (Thematic Apperception Test). Analysis of their narratives resulted in a set of hermeneutic rules which may be useful in interpreting the structure of narratives and in understanding the relationship between internalized images, reality construction, and resiliency. Two types of images were identified: negative images of stress and darkness and more positive images of escape and hope. Implications for helping clients develop images of strength and competence are discussed.

Key Words

resiliency narrative approaches at-risk children hermeneutics reality construction 
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Copyright information

© Human Sciences Press, Inc. 1996

Authors and Affiliations

  • John Plummer
    • 1
  • Carmen Knudson-Martin
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Family PsychologySeattle Pacific UniversitySeattle
  2. 2.Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Department of Health and Human Development, Herrick HallMontana State UniversityBozeman

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