THE STORY OF MARICELA AND MIGUEL - A NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIMENSIONSOF ADAPTATION

Objectives. A mother-child life history was analyzed to examine the mu ltiple dimensions of adaptation in a family grouping including tempora lity, maternal values, and life contexts. Method. In-depth interviews, participant observation, and documents (e.g., therapy notes, medical records) produced the data for this study A multiple step narrative an alysis included narrative shaping analysis of major life turnings, and macrostructural analysis of the progress coward life goals. Results. This mother-child life history portrays the challenging life events of a Mexican-origin mother, Maricela, seeking care and assistance to fur ther the development of her son with disabilities, Miguel. Major turni ngs in her life had both costs and benefits for her in the present and future. Analysis of her multiple roles of mother, professional daught er lover-wife, and spiritual devotee revealed that Maricela's life cho ices, driven by maternal values, diminished the achievement of her per sonal goals, except those related to her maternal and spiritual roles. Maricela chose actions to realign current and future happenings with her desired life trajectory for her son, which instead of enhancing li fe conditions for the family often involved short-term and long-term c osts. Conclusion. This mother-child life history demonstrates that a s eries of moral, relational, and circumstantial factors influence a mot her's projected life courses for herself and her child. Adaptation app ears to be a dynamic process of realigning life paths to desired life courses, with success evaluated not in a microcosm of time, but from a larger view as these actions contribute to the achievement of desired life goals within a constellation of the person's life goals.