“I Am a Puzzle”: Adolescence as Reflected in Self-Metaphors

Abstract

Given growing interest in narrative counselling, narrative theories of the self have received much attention. In this study, adolescents describe self through the construction of self-metaphors. The project explores the relationship between narrative developmental assumptions and the adolescents’ own self descriptions. Three themes are revealed: (a) multiple self(ves), (b) self as complex, and (c) embodying hope. The adolescents’ self-portrayals reflect assumptions present in both traditional and narrative developmental theories. Hope emerges as an implicit aspect of self. Further, self-metaphor construction proves to be a task of fruitful self-reflection. Implications for counselling and school guidance are discussed.