OUR FOUNDATIONS
A closer look at the ideas behind the journal.
Research, practical tools and other sources that informed Story of My Life Journal, openly shared so you can explore them for yourself.
An open bibliography
These are the sources gathered in the journal’s appendix: research papers, books, frameworks, articles, talks and more.
They play different roles in the journal’s foundations. Research-informed does not mean that the journal itself has been clinically tested.
Different sources. Different roles.
The labels below describe the kind of source, rather than a rating of its evidence. The bibliography includes studies, reviews and theoretical writing alongside practical guidance and personal perspectives.
Research & scholarly writing
Journal papers and scholarly contributions, including research studies, reviews and theory.
Frameworks & practical resources
Models, guides and exercises offered by organisations and practitioners.
Books, articles & web resources
Books and chapters, explanatory articles, reporting and online resources.
Talks, courses & podcasts
Spoken and taught perspectives in video, audio and course formats.
THE COMPLETE BIBLIOGRAPHY
Find a starting point.
Choose a topic below, or use your browser’s Find on page to search for an author, title or source type. All 101 entries are expanded, with their original wording and links.
Each entry appears once. Some sources span more than one topic; the groupings are here to make browsing easier.
01 / 31 SOURCES
Life stories & identity
Narrative identity research explores how people understand themselves through their life stories. Tree of Life practice invites reflection on skills, hopes and important relationships.
Start with McAdams or the Dulwich Centre.
Framework / practical resource
Anonymous. (n.d). “The development of a positive sense of identity and culture by ages and stages: contextual factors and potential risk and protective factors”. Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth: https://www.aracy.org.au/publications-resources/command/download_file/id/394/filename/Practice_Paper _1_-_The_development_of_identity_and_culture_by_ages_and_stages_with_risk_factors.pdf
Framework / practical resource
Anonymous. (n.d.). “Life Story: The Past, Present, and Future”. Therapist Aid. Retrieved from: https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/life-story.pdf
Framework / practical resource
Anonymous. (n.d.). “Ten life narrative exercises”. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI); Vanderbilt University. Retrieved from: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/olli/class-materials/TenExercises_To_Make_A_World_Handout.pdf
Framework / practical resource
Anonymous. (n.d.). “The Tree of Life: An approach to working with vulnerable children, young people and adults”. Dulwich Centre. Retrieved from: https://dulwichcentre.com.au/the-tree-of-life/
Book / chapter
Applebee, A. N. (1978). “The child’s concept of story”. Chicago; University of Chicago Press.
Framework / practical resource
Baranowski, A. (2012). “My Life Story – A Narrative Exercise for ‘What Is PTSD? 3 Steps to Healing Trauma’”. Trauma Recovery Program. Retrieved from: http://www.whatisptsd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/My-Life-Story-A-Narrative-Exercise.pdf
Article / web resource
Beasley, N. (2020). “What is assimilation? Psychology explains why it’s important”. BetterHelp.com. Retrieved from: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/psychologists/what-is-assimilation-psychology-explains-why-its-important/
Article / web resource
Burkley, M. (2017). “Why metaphors are important”. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-social-thinker/201711/why-metaphors-are-important
Article / web resource
Dingfelder, S. (2011). “Our stories, ourselves”. American Psychological Association: Monitor on Psychology. 25(1): 42. Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/01/stories
Book / chapter
Giddens, A. (1991). “Modernity and self-identity: Self and society in the late modern age”. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Research / scholarly writing
Habermas, T. & Bluck, S. (2000). “Getting a life: The emergence of the life story in adolescence”. Psychological Bulletin. 126: 748-769.
Article / web resource
Handel, S. (n.d.). “Rewriting the Story of Your Life: A Process of Self-Exploration Through Writing”. The Emotion Machine. Retrieved from: https://www.theemotionmachine.com/rewriting-the-story-of-your-life-a-process-of-self-exploration-through-writing/
Article / web resource
Klein, C. (2016 [Updated 2018]). “DNA study finds Aboriginal Australians world’s oldest living culture”. History. Retrieved from: https://www.history.com/news/dna-study-finds-aboriginal-australians-worlds-oldest-civilization
Article / web resource
Kluger, J. (2017). “How telling stories makes us human”. Time Magazine. Retrieved from: https://time.com/5043166/storytelling-evolution/
Research / scholarly writing
Lock, S. (2016). “The Tree of Life: A review of the collective narrative approach”. Educational Psychology Research and Practice. 2(1): 2–20.
Book / chapter
Mandler, J. M. (1984). “Stories, scripts, and scenes: Aspects of schema theory”. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Research / scholarly writing
Matchan, E., Phillips, D., Jourdan, F., Oostingh, K. (2020). “Early human occupation of southeastern Australia: New insights from 40Ar/39Ar dating of young volcanoes”. Geology. 48(4): 390–394. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G47166.1
Research / scholarly writing
McAdams, D. (2001). “The Psychology of Life Stories”. Review of General Psychology. 5(2):100-122. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.5.2.100
Article / web resource
McLeod, S. A. (2018). “Jean piaget’s theory of cognitive development”. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from: https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html
Talk / course / podcast
Peterson, J.B. (2017). “Existentialism: Nietzsche, Dostoevsky & Kierkegaard”. University of Torronto. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qZ3EsrKPsc
Book / chapter
Peterson, J.B. (1999). “Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief”. United Kingdom: Routledge.
Book / chapter
Peterson, J.B. (2013). “Three forms of meaning and the management of complexity”. The Psychology of Meaning. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Retrieved from: https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/docs/434/Assigned_Papers/Peterson%20JB%20Three%20Kinds%20of%20Meaning%20Final%203.pdf
Talk / course / podcast
Peterson, J.B. (Host). (2017). “The Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories” [Audio podcast]. https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/bible-series/
Talk / course / podcast
James Nelson. (2010, February 22). “Dan Wells on Story Structure” [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcmiqQ9NpPE
Article / web resource
Silverman, S. (2003). “J.K. Rowling: Richer than the Queen”. People.com. Retrieved from: https://people.com/celebrity/j-k-rowling-richer-than-the-queen/
Research / scholarly writing
Smith, D., Schlaepfer, P., Major, K. et al. (2017). “Cooperation and the evolution of hunter-gatherer storytelling”. Nat Commun 8: 1853. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02036-8
Book / chapter
Stern, D. (1985). “The interpersonal world of the human infant”. New York: Basic Books.
Research / scholarly writing
Tomasello, M. (2000). “Culture and cognitive development”. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 9: 37-40.
Research / scholarly writing
Trinkaus E. (2011). “Late Pleistocene adult mortality patterns and modern human establishment”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 108(4): 1267–1271. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1018700108
Framework / practical resource
Weller, N. (n.d.). “The Tree of Life: A Simple Exercise for Reclaiming Your Identity and Direction in Life Through Story”. Nathan B. Weller. Retrieved from: https://nathanbweller.com/tree-life-simple-exercise-reclaiming-identity-direction-life-story/
Article / web resource
Whitbourne, S. (2015). “Life’s endings and how we make sense of them”. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201508/life-s-endings-and-how-we-make-sense-out-them
02 / 18 SOURCES
Habits, goals & motivation
Habit research examines how repeating an action in a consistent setting can make it more automatic over time.
Start with Lally and colleagues.
Article / web resource
Amabile, T. & Kramer, S. (2011). “The power of small wins”. Harvard Business Review Press. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2011/05/the-power-of-small-wins
Article / web resource
Anonymous. (2012). “Breaking bad habits: Why it’s so hard to change”. National Institute of Health. Retrieved from: newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/01/breaking-bad-habits
Research / scholarly writing
Berridge, K. & Robinson, T. (2016). “Liking, wanting, and the incentive-sensitization theory of addiction”. The American Psychologist. 71(8): 670–679. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000059
Research / scholarly writing
Depue, RA. & Collins, PF. (1999). “Neurobiology of the structure of personality: dopamine, facilitation of incentive motivation, and extraversion”. Behavioural Brain Science. 22(3):491-517. doi: 10.1017/s0140525x99002046. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11301519/
Book / chapter
Dispenza, J. (2012). “Breaking the habit of being yourself: how to lose your mind and create a new one”. Carlsbad: Hay House.
Research / scholarly writing
Fishbach, A., Eyal, T., Finkelstein, S. (2010). “How Positive and Negative Feedback Motivate Goal Pursuit”. Social and Personality Psychology Compass. 4(8): 517-530. 1751. Doi:10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00285.x.
Article / web resource
Fowler, A. (2014). “What Maslow’s Hierarchy won’t tell you about motivation”. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2014/11/what-maslows-hierarchy-wont-tell-you-about-motivation
Article / web resource
Frothingham, S. (2019). “How long does it take for a new behaviour to become automatic”. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-to-form-a-habit
Article / web resource
Herald, M. (2014). “Why You Should Always Acknowledge Achievements”. Emotionally Resilient Living. Retrieved from: https://www.emotionallyresilientliving.com/why-you-should-always-acknowledge-achievements
Research / scholarly writing
Lally, P. et al. (2009). “How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world”. European Journal of Social Psychology. 40: 998–1009. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.674.
Article / web resource
Moore, A. (2018). “How setting goals can help and hurt your mental health”. The Best Brain Possible. Retrieved from: https://www.thebestbrainpossible.com/goals-mental-health-brain-habits/
Article / web resource
Murayama, K. (2018). “The science of motivation: Multidisciplinary approaches advance research on the nature and effects of motivation”. Psychological Science Agenda. June 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2018/06/motivation
Article / web resource
Niles, F. (2011). “How to use visualisation to achieve your goals”. Huff Post. Retrieved from: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/visualization-goals_b_878424
Talk / course / podcast
Peterson, J.B. (2020). “Discovering Personality with Dr Jordan B. Peterson”. Retrieved from: https://courses.jordanbpeterson.com/
Article / web resource
Raypole, C. (2019). “How to break a habit (and make it stick)”. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-break-a-habit
Article / web resource
Riopel, L. (2020). “The importance, benefits, and value of goal setting”. PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved from: https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-goal-setting/
Talk / course / podcast
Sinek, S. (2009). “How great leaders inspire action”. TEDx. Retrieved from: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?language=en
Article / web resource
Torres, M. (n.d.). “Precommitment: Commit in Advance to Keep Yourself On Track”. Refocuser. Retrieved from: http://www.refocuser.com/2009/07/precommitment-commit-in-advance-to-keep-yourself-on-track/
03 / 22 SOURCES
Feelings, attention & connection
Affect-labeling research explores how putting feelings into words can influence emotional responses.
Start with Torre and Lieberman.
Research / scholarly writing
Askenasy, J. (1987). “The Functions and Dysfunctions of Laughter”. The Journal of General Psychology. 114(4): 317-334. doi: 10.1080/00221309.1987.9711070
Article / web resource
Brach, T. (2014). “The Sacred Pause: The sacred art of pausing”. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/finding-true-refuge/201412/the-sacred-pause
Article / web resource
Carpenter, D. (2020). “How to develop empathy in your relationships”. Verywellmind. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-develop-empathy-in-relationships-1717547
Article / web resource
Cherry, K. (2020). “What is empathy”. Verywellmind. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-empathy-2795562
Article / web resource
Choi, C. (2010). “‘Invisible Gorilla’ test shows how little we notice”. Live Science. Retrieved from: https://www.livescience.com/6727-invisible-gorilla-test-shows-notice.html
Article / web resource
Colino, S. (2018). “The hazards of rumination for your mental and physical health: How dwelling on your negative thoughts can take a toll on your mood and wellbeing”. US News. Retrieved from: https://health.usnews.com/wellness/mind/articles/2018-03-14/the-hazards-of-rumination-for-your-mental-and-physical-health
Article / web resource
Cuncic, A. (2020). “Amygdala hijack and the fight or flight response”. VeryWellMind.com. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-happens-during-an-amygdala-hijack-4165944
Article / web resource
Davis, D. & Hayes, J. (2012). “What are the benefits of mindfulness”. American Psychological Association: Monitor on Psychology. 43(7): 64. Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/07-08/ce-corner
Research / scholarly writing
Goldberg, E. (1994). “Lateralization of frontal lobe functions and cognitive novelty”. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 6:4, 371-378. Retrieved from: https://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/jnp.6.4.371
Research / scholarly writing
John, O. & Robins, R. (1994). “Accuracy and bias in self-perception: Individual differences in self-enhancement and the role of narcissism”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 66(1): 206–219. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.66.1.206
Research / scholarly writing
Levari, D. Et al (2018). “Prevalence-induced concept change in human judgement”. Science. 360(6396):1465-1467/ Retrieved from: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6396/1465
Research / scholarly writing
Loewenstein, G. (2005). “Hot-Cold Empathy Gaps and Medical Decision Making”. Health Psychology. 24(4): S49-S56. Retrieved from: https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/sds/docs/loewenstein/hotColdEmpathyGaps.pdf
Research / scholarly writing
McCracken, L. (1997). “Attention to pain in persons with chronic pain: A behavioral approach”. Behavior Therapy. 28(2): 271-284. ISSN 0005-7894. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(97)80047-0
Article / web resource
Moore, C. (2020). “What Is The Negativity Bias and How Can it be Overcome?”. PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved from: https://positivepsychology.com/3-steps-negativity-bias/
Research / scholarly writing
Müller, M.J. (2011). “Helplessness and perceived pain intensity: relations to cortisol concentrations after electrocutaneous stimulation in healthy young men”. BioPsychoSocial Med. 5(8). https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0759-5-8
Article / web resource
Raypole, C. (2019). “How to hack your hormones for a better mood”. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/happy-hormone
Research / scholarly writing
Rothbard, N. & Wilk, S. (2011). “Waking Up on the Right or Wrong Side of the Bed: Start-of-Workday Mood, Work Events, Employee Affect, and Performance”. AMJ. 54: 959–980. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2007.0056
Article / web resource
Scott, E. (2020). “How music can be therapeutic”. Verywellmind.com. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-and-why-music-therapy-is-effective-3145190
Research / scholarly writing
Suda, M. et al. (2008). “Emotional responses to music: towards scientific perspectives on music therapy”. NeuroReport. 19(1): 75-78. doi:10.1097/WNR.0b013e3282f3476f
Research / scholarly writing
Torre, J., Lieberman, M. (2018). “Putting Feelings Into Words: Affect Labeling as Implicit Emotion Regulation”. Emotion Review. 10(2):116-124. Retrieved from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1754073917742706
Research / scholarly writing
Vaish, A., Grossmann, T., & Woodward, A. (2008). “Not all emotions are created equal: the negativity bias in social-emotional development”. Psychological Bulletin. 134(3): 383. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.3.383
Talk / course / podcast
Vedantam, S. (Host). (2019, December 2). “In the Heat of the Moment: How Intense Emotions Transform Us” [Audio podcast episode]. In Hidden Brain. NPR. Retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/783495595
04 / 23 SOURCES
Whole-life wellbeing
SAMHSA’s guide offers a way to reflect on eight connected areas of wellness, from relationships and physical health to work and finances.
Start with the SAMHSA guide.
Article / web resource
Anonymous. (2011). “Giving thanks can make you happier”. Harvard Medical School. Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
Framework / practical resource
Anonymous. (2016). “Creating a healthier life: A step-by-step guide to wellness”. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from: https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Learn-the-Eight-Dimensions-of-Wellness-Poster-/SMA16-4953
Framework / practical resource
Anonymous. (2016). “Creating a healthier life: A step-by-step guide to wellness”. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma16-4958.pdf
Article / web resource
Anonymous. (2018). “National Health Survey: first results”. National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release
Framework / practical resource
Anonymous. (n.d). “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Putting it all together”. Psychology Tools. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytools.com/self-help/
Framework / practical resource
Anonymous. (n.d.). “Eight dimensions of wellbeing and action plan”. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma16-4958.pdf
Framework / practical resource
Anonymous. (n.d.). “Eight dimensions of wellness”. College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Boston University. Retrieved from: https://cpr.bu.edu/resources-and-information/eight-dimensions-of-wellness/
Article / web resource
Anonymous. (n.d.). “Facts about suicide in Australia”. Black Dog Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/suicide-self-harm/facts-about-suicide-in-australia/
Article / web resource
Anonymous. (n.d.). “Midlife”. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/conditions/midlife
Book / chapter
Brach, T. (2004). “Radical acceptance: Embracing your life with the heart of a Buddha”. New York: Bantam Books.
Research / scholarly writing
Burns, R. (2016). “Sex and age trends in Australia’s suicide rate over the last decade: Something is still seriously wrong with men in middle and late life”. Psychiatry Research. 245: 224-229. ISSN 0165-1781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.08.036
Research / scholarly writing
Eckersley, R. (2005). “Is modern Western culture a health hazard?”. International Journal of Epidemiology. 35:252–258. doi:10.1093/ije/dyi235
Research / scholarly writing
Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K. M., Mackinnon, A., Batterham, P. J., & Stanimirovic, R. (2015). “The mental health of Australian elite athletes”. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 18: 255–261. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.04.006
Research / scholarly writing
Hammond, T., Gialloreto, C., Kubas, H., & Davis, H. (2013). “The prevalence of failure-based depression among elite athletes”. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 23: 273–277. doi:10.1097/JSM.0b013e318287b870
Research / scholarly writing
Lane, A. & Lovejoy, D. (2001). “The effects of exercise on mood changes: the moderating effect of depressed mood”. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 41(4): 539-45.
Research / scholarly writing
Schinke, R., Stambulova, N., Si, G., Moore, Z. (2018). “International society of sport psychology position stand: Athletes’ mental health, performance, and development”. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 16(6): 622-639. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2017.1295557
Article / web resource
Semeco, A. (2017). “The Top 10 benefits of regular exercise”. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise
Framework / practical resource
Stoewen, D. (2017). “Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life”. Stoewen D. L. (2017). The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 58(8): 861–862. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508938/
Article / web resource
Su-Kubricht, L. (2019). “The 8 dimensions of wellness”. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Retrieved from: https://rm.edu/about-the-university/university-news/health-wellness/the-8-dimensions-of-wellness/
Framework / practical resource
Swarbrick, M. (1997). “A wellness model for clients”. Mental Health Special Interest Section Quarterly. 20: 1-4.
Research / scholarly writing
Swarbrick, M. (2006). “A wellness approach”. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. 29: 311-4. doi:10.2975/29.2006.311.314.
Book / chapter
Van Cuylenburg, H. (2019). “The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness”. Australia: Penguin Random House Australia.
Article / web resource
Vella-Brodrick, D. (2011). “Positive psychology: Reflecting on the past and projecting into the future”. InPsych. 33(2). Retrieved from: https://www.psychology.org.au/publications/inpsych/2011/april/vella-brodrick
05 / 7 SOURCES
Values, meaning & decisions
Schwartz’s work explores the values people prioritise and how those values can support or compete with one another.
Start with Schwartz.
Article / web resource
Newman, J. (2018). “Jordan Peterson and human action”. Mises Institute. Retrieved from: https://mises.org/wire/jordan-peterson-and-human-action
Talk / course / podcast
Peterson, J.B. (Host). (2016-present). “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast” [Audio podcast]. https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/podcast/
Research / scholarly writing
Schwartz, S. H. (1992). “Universals in the Content and Structure of Values: Theory and Empirical Tests in 20 Countries”. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology. 25: 1-65.
Article / web resource
Taylor, J. (2012). “Personal Growth: Align your values and your life”. Dr Jim Taylor. Retrieved from: https://www.drjimtaylor.com/4.0/personal-growth-align-your-values-and-your-life/
Article / web resource
Taylor, J. (2012). “Personal Growth: Your values, your life”. Dr Jim Taylor. Retrieved from: https://www.drjimtaylor.com/4.0/personal-growth-your-values-your-life/
Article / web resource
Tsipursky, G. (2019). “8 Key Steps for Effective Leadership Decision Making to Avoid Decision Disasters”. Disaster Avoidance Experts. Retrieved from: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/8-key-steps-for-effective-leadership-decision-making-to-avoid-decision-disasters/
Article / web resource
Tsipursky, G. (2019). “8 Steps to the Best Work and Life Decisions”. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/intentional-insights/201909/8-steps-the-best-work-and-life-decisions