The Dynamics of Self-Understanding in Middle Adulthood Through Dream Analysis
Evelyn Deciana, Sri Mulyani Nasution
Kajian Psikologi dan Kesehatan Mental. March 10, 2026 DOI: 10.35912/kpkm.v4i1.6834 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative phenomenological study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Indonesian adults in middle adulthood who had experienced psychologically significant dreams and could reflect on their meanings |
| Key findings | The authors report that dream experiences contributed to an integrative process of self-understanding, including awareness of internal conflicts, integration of rational and intuitive aspects, and deeper understanding of interpersonal dynamics. They propose that dream analysis can serve as a reflective process that facilitates self-understanding and psychological integration during middle adulthood. |
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to explore the process of self-understanding in middle adulthood through dream experiences from the perspective of analytical psychology.Research Methodology: This study employed a qualitative phenomenological design involving three Indonesian adults in middle adulthood who had experienced psychologically significant dreams and were able to reflect on their meanings. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and written dream narratives and analysed using interpretative thematic analysis within the framework of analytical psychology.Results: The findings indicate that dream experiences contribute to an integrative process of self-understanding, including awareness of internal conflicts, the integration of rational and intuitive aspects, and a deeper understanding of interpersonal dynamics. Dreams also function as a reflective medium that facilitate emotional processing and psychological integration.Conclusions: Dream analysis may support the development of self-understanding by enabling individuals to access unconscious psychological dynamics and reflect more deeply on their subjective experiences.
Limitations: This study was limited to a small number of participants and focused on subjective interpretations of dream experiences within a specific culture and psychological context.Contributions: This study extends the application of analytical psychology by demonstrating that dream analysis serves not only as a method of symbolic interpretation but also as a reflective process that facilitates self-understanding and psychological integration during middle adulthood.