Abstract
This is Part 2 of a longitudinal qualitative study examining the meaning of divorce to the individual. It adopts an autobiographical approach elaborating upon four narratives and examines the transition accounts (failure’, ‘acceptance’, ‘rebirth’ and ‘retribution’) in the context of the life story and with reference to development and contamination/redemption themes. It discusses factors affecting narrative coherence as indicators of psychological health including balance, validation, acceptance, sense of purpose, continuity/generativity and the ability to tolerate ambiguity and reflexivity. It suggests that agency is a requirement for ‘growth’. If an agentic self has not been able to develop then although growth may be narrated it may be illusory. In such conditions it is suggested that the narrative may merely function to maintain internal consistency.