Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study was undertaken to examine the contributions of several differentiation-of-self measures to the construct validity of differentiation of self as conceptualized by Bowen (1 978).Differentiation of self connotes a multidimensional and complex process of distinguishing self, at the levels of reasoning and emotional functioning from a family system.Bowen connected differentiation of self with reported levels of chronic anxiety.Construct validity of a measurement tool utilized to determine the level of differentiation of self is critical to the integrity of any research study designed to measure family functioning from a Bowenian perspective.In this study, five instruments intended to measure differentiation of self were examined using a clinical and nonclinical sample.These instruments included the Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI) (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998), the Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire (PAFS-Q) (Bray, Williamson & Malone, 1984), The Trait Version of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T) (Spielberger, Gorsuch & Lushene, 1970) and the Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL-90R) (Derogatis, 1994), Social Readjustment Rating Scale (Holmes & Rahe , 1967).Results suggested partial support for the hypothesis that married adults with higher levels of differentiation of self would show lower levels of anxiety, triangulation, spousal fusion, psychiatric dysfunction and life-stress events and higher levels of intimacy than married adults with lower levels of differentiation of self.Contrary to the proposed hypothesis, married adults with higher levels of differentiation of self scored significantly higher on anxiety.As predicted, clinical sample participants demonstrated higher levels of anxiety, triangulation, spousal fusion, psychiatric dysfunction and life-stress events and lower levels of differentiation of self and intimacy than nonclinical samples.Partial support was found regarding significant relationships between differentiation-of-self measures.Participants in the nonclinical sample were more educated.The groups were not balanced on education and cultural representation.To adequately measure differentiation of self, comparison groups must be balanced on all demographic variables.Incomplete data limited drawing generalizable conclusions.
Author: Mary Jane Maser
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W98986297