Couple Differentiation: Mediator or Moderator of Depressive Symptoms and Relationship Satisfaction?

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether differentiation at the couple level would act as a moderator or a mediator in the association between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms over time. In a sample of 412 couples, a latent profile analysis was performed to determine how couple differentiation scores were clustered. An Actor/Partner Interdependence Model was then estimated via a group comparison procedure in structural equation modeling. There was no evidence of a moderating effect of differentiation. A mediating model was then estimated and there was evidence that differentiation mediated the association between depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction via actor and partner effects.

Exploring Similarity and Stability of Differentiation in Relationships: A Dyadic Study of Bowen's Theory

“…For example, perhaps as differentiation, and therefore an ability to experience emotion and simultaneously make rational decisions, increases, so also would increase the capacity to be self‐directed in selecting a partner, regardless of differentiation level. Ultimately, given albeit small levels of significant similarity found in this study, a relatively high percentage of similarity found in other research that is couple centered (Bartle‐Haring et al., ), and support found for other BFST assumptions such as stability over time, Bowen's theory of similarity and BFST deserves further examination.…”

“…Overall however, results of this study are comparable to results from previous studies that do not offer strong support for Bowen's similarity hypothesis. This was surprising given that recent research that utilized a more couple‐centered approach found much higher levels of similarity using the same data set (Bartle‐Haring et al., ).…”

“…Importantly, another study that examined partner similarity aimed to examine differentiation as a potential moderator and/or mediator of the association between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms (Bartle‐Haring, Ferriby, & Day, ). This study utilized a latent profile analysis (LPA) as a couple‐centered approach (allowing variation of similarity between couples) rather than basing analysis on routine central tendency approaches.…”

“…This study utilized a latent profile analysis (LPA) as a couple‐centered approach (allowing variation of similarity between couples) rather than basing analysis on routine central tendency approaches. When allowing such couple variation, they found that 69% of couples demonstrated similarity with regard to levels of differentiation (Bartle‐Haring et al., ). Advanced dyadic statistical analyses such as LPA and structural equation modeling that better account for variation and examine couples as an important unit of analysis may continue to shed further light on Bowen's important assumptions.…”

Escala de Comunicación autopercibida en la relación de pareja (CARP)

“…It also offers five possible response options for the response, allowing one to obtain a self-report measure that assesses family differentiation, taking into consideration, on the one hand, ongoing emotional connectedness (support, involvement, personal relationship) and, on the other hand, separateness (autonomy, uniqueness, freedom of personal expression). Nevertheless, this scale does not address communication directly and, as a result, is more closely related to the evaluation of other aspects such as couple relationship satisfaction (Bartle-Haring, Ferriby, & Day, 2018;Lampis, Cataudella, Busonera, & Skowron, 2017;Muraru & Turliuc, 2012).…”