ERIC Number: EJ1242012
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0897-5264
EISSN: N/A
Toward Self-Authorship: Postgraduate Psychology Students' Meaning-Making Journeys
du Toit, Nadia; Naudé, Luzelle
Journal of College Student Development, v61 n1 p84-102 Jan-Feb 2020
This article describes through the lens of self-authorship development the meaning-making processes of South African postgraduate psychology students who are expected to undergo significant growth as they journey towards becoming mental health professionals. Reflective writing tasks and individual interviews of 4 postgraduate students were thematically analyzed to identify individual pathways as well as salient themes towards self-authorship. Academic challenges and interpersonal relationships were instrumental in these students' finding a sense of self and moving towards greater independence, more defined belief systems, and a perspective that encompasses the future. The research findings highlight participants' nuanced and cyclical journeys as they dealt with experiences and challenges that fostered personal growth, more complex ways of knowing, relational restructuring, and listening to an internal voice.
Descriptors: Individual Development, Graduate Students, Psychology, Foreign Countries, Student Development, Interpersonal Relationship, Student Experience, Self Concept, Educational Experience, Higher Education, Beliefs
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A