EBN- Researchers at the University of Missouri found that people who live their lives as if they were the “hero of a story” or the main focus of daily details have higher levels of well-being and competence.
Researchers have shown that these people (those with the main character syndrome) feel more independent, competent and effective, in addition to being satisfied in their relationships with others.
Telling a story in which the individual “appears as the main character” also contributes to enhancing their sense of psychological satisfaction.
In psychology, the term “narrative identity” refers to the way we view our role in the story of our life. Traditionally, it is assumed that people see themselves as the main character in the story.
But some people see themselves as playing only a secondary role in their own life story, or a secondary role in someone else’s life story.
In this regard, researchers conducted experiments measuring the effect of narrative identity on the satisfaction of basic psychological needs.
Intitially, 385 college students filled out a questionnaire assessing their sense of being the main character.
Participants who considered themselves a main character were found to experience increased levels of self-satisfaction and feelings of well-being.
The research team found that feeling like a “secondary figure” was associated with decreased self-integration and well-being.
The researchers also found that those with higher perceptions of the main character pursued goals that were more meaningfully aligned with their values, and showed higher levels of intrinsic motivation.
When people see themselves as the active force in their lives and make decisions for themselves, as the main characters do, rather than relying on external forces (and other people), they are more integrated and function better,” the study, published in the Journal of Research in Personality, said.
