Figure 2.

A theoretical model of narrative integration and meaning-making (adapted by Raeder, 2022 from Hartog et al., 2017; Park, 2022). In the figure, the grey box on the left represents the baseline or status quo for an individual regulating their sense of self and adaptation to life events through autobiographical memory. Upon experiencing a traumatic event, the individual will appraise whether or not novel information is congruent with prior autobiographical information. If congruent, then the individual is unlikely to experience distress and will thus return to baseline. However, if the traumatic experience is incongruent with prior autobiographical information, then the individual is likely to experience psychological distress and thus engage in a process of reappraisal and assimilation to make meaning from this new information in order to return to baseline.