The relationship among storytelling, values, and resilience of college students from Eastern and Western cultural backgrounds

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2-2016

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that storytelling may be related to personal values and provide an important role in promoting resilience. Western (American and German) and Eastern (Chinese and Vietnamese) college students (total n = 845) were asked to respond to survey items on two predictors (storytelling experiences and value preferences) and the outcome resilience. Correlational analysis established significant relationships among storytelling, values, and resilience. The t-test comparisons of Eastern vs. Western mean scores indicated significant cultural differences for storytelling and values, but not resilience. Structural equation modeling found a significant path from storytelling through values to resilience. The final model revealed that college students of Western countries who reported having significant childhood experiences of storytelling preferred openness to change values such as Benevolence, Self-direction, and Stimulation. The results were discussed in terms of the conceptual context.

Publication Title

Journal of Poetry Therapy

Volume

29

Issue

2

First Page

73

Last Page

88

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/08893675.2016.1176162

ISSN

08893675

E-ISSN

15672344

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