NARRATIVES OF ESCAPE - A HERMENEUTIC STUDY OF RESILIENCY

This study examines the structure of narratives told by well-functioni ng 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 str ucture of narratives and in understanding the relationship between int ernalized images, reality construction, and resiliency Two types of im ages mere identified: negative images of stress and darkness and more positive images of escape and hope. Implications for helping clients d evelop images of strength and competence are discussed.