Redemption in a single low point story longitudinally predicts well‐being: The incremental validity of life story elements

Objective Extending research on the incremental validity of life story variables and the importance of particular kinds of story contexts, this paper tested the hypothesis that a single theme (narrative redemption) in a specific life story episode (the low point—or an episode that challenges the self) can predict well‐being, above and beyond covariates. Method Two samples, an emerging adult (N = 144) and a late midlife sample (N = 158), provided life story episodes with different life story collection methods (written and interview) and completed self‐report measures concurrently and longitudinally. Results The findings indicated that low point redemption was associated concurrently and longitudinally with well‐being when controlling for the Big Five factors of Extraversion and Neuroticism and narrative word count. These associations held for three months among emerging adults and four years among late midlife adults. Aggregating redemption in high and low points did not improve the concurrent or longitudinal association between redemption and well‐being. Conclusions The findings demonstrate the capacity of elements in a single challenging episode of the life story to predict well‐being.