Which aspect of identity is shaped by narrative therapy?

Narrative therapy focuses on the stories individuals tell about themselves and how these narratives shape their identities. This therapeutic approach emphasizes the importance of personal stories and the meanings attached to them, as it is believed that these narratives significantly influence a person's self-perception and experiences. By exploring and reconstructing personal stories, individuals can gain insights, find new perspectives, and potentially rewrite aspects of their identity that may be limiting or negative. This process allows for greater flexibility in how individuals view their lives and selves, emphasizing the power of storytelling in personal development and healing.

Other aspects, such as psychological defense mechanisms, racial or ethnic background, and physical characteristics, may contribute to a person's identity but are not the central focus of narrative therapy. Instead, narrative therapy is primarily concerned with the subjective experience of identity as expressed through the stories people create and share about themselves.