Marital Satisfaction of Healthy Differentiated and Undifferentiated Couples

Lim, Mee-Gaik; Jennings, Glen

doi:10.1177/1066480796044004

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Therefore, it is more likely that they will maintain a higher relationship satisfaction. The association between differentiation of self and marital satisfaction has been established by many previous researchers as well (Adams, 2004;Kwon, 2001;Lim & Jennings, 1996;Mccullough, 2006). But this is the first study to look at this association in partners of a patient with a chronic illness.…”

Section: Hierarchical Regressionsmentioning

confidence: 71%

Relationship Among Differentiation of Self, Relationship Satisfaction, Partner Support, and Depression in Patients With Chronic Lung Disease and Their Partners

Lal¹,

Bartle‐Haring²

2011

J Marital Family Therapy

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The purpose of the present study is to test the relationships among differentiation of self, relationship satisfaction, perceived partner support, and depression in a sample of patients with chronic lung disease (CLD) and their partners. The sample consisted of 52 patients with CLD and their partners. Hierarchical multiple regression was used for data analysis. The results indicate that (a) patients' differentiation of self is significantly lower than partners' differentiation of self, (b) patients' relationship satisfaction is positively correlated with partners' relationship satisfaction, (c) patients' relationship satisfaction predicts perceived partner supportive behavior, (d) perceived partner unsupportive behavior predicts patients' depression, (e) partners' differentiation of self predicts partners' relationship satisfaction, (f) partners' relationship satisfaction predicts partner supportive behavior, and (g) partners' differentiation of self and relationship satisfaction predicts partners' depression. The study serves to highlight the fact that the patient is part of a system, and that taking the system into account is relevant to the well-being of both the patient and the partner, in particular for patients with CLD, a heretofore unstudied population. The results of such studies have significant implications for couple and family therapists.

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Section: Hierarchical Regressionsmentioning

confidence: 71%

Relationship Among Differentiation of Self, Relationship Satisfaction, Partner Support, and Depression in Patients With Chronic Lung Disease and Their Partners

Lal¹,

Bartle‐Haring²

2011

J Marital Family Therapy

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“…Thus, individuals with less differentiation may struggle to self-regulate emotional reactions when faced with relationship stressors, withdraw from their partners in times of need, and have difficulties supporting their partner without feeling a loss of self-direction or selfhood (Bowen, 1978;Kerr & Bowen, 1988;Schnarch, 1997). Further, empirical research has supported the theoretical assertions of Bowen's theory (see Miller, Anderson, & Keals, 2004) and consistently found that differentiation of self is positively associated with relationship quality and satisfaction in marital relationships (Lim & Jennings, 1996;Parsons, Nalbone, Killmer, & Wetchler, 2007;Peleg, 2008;Skowron, 2000;Skowron & Friedlander, 1998;Spencer & Brown, 2007).…”

mentioning

confidence: 76%

Zen and the art of dating: Mindfulness, differentiation of self, and satisfaction in dating relationships.

Khaddouma

Bolden

2015

Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice

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The purpose of the present study was to examine the links between trait mindfulness, differentiation of self, and relationship satisfaction in dating relationships. One hundred four individuals in a current dating relationship completed surveys of trait mindfulness, differentiation of self (as measured by its 4 subcomponents: fusion with others, emotional cutoff, emotional reactivity, and I position), and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that overall differentiation of self and, more specifically, 2 of its subcomponents (I position and fusion with others) mediated (rather than moderated) the link between mindfulness and relationship satisfaction. In contrast, the 2 remaining subcomponents of differentiation of self (emotional reactivity and emotional cutoff) did not mediate or moderate the association between mindfulness and relationship satisfaction. These results suggest that mindful attunement to one’s partner may promote greater relationship satisfaction by fostering the ability to maintain a clearly defined sense of self even in the wake of stressful situations and the ability to successfully navigate relational demands without becoming overwhelmed by or overly fused with one’s partner. Furthermore, findings from the current study provide preliminary support for the link between mindfulness and differentiation of self and suggest that they may jointly contribute to relationship satisfaction, thus indicating an important area for future research.

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“…Lim and Jennings (1996) found that highly differentiated individuals experience greater marital satisfaction whereas undifferentiated persons experience higher levels of marital distress, and the impact of differentiation on marital satisfaction is stronger for women than men. Similarly, Adams (2004) found that the wives' differentiation of self and marital satisfaction were significantly related, while the husbands' were not.…”

Section: Progress In Couple Therapymentioning

confidence: 94%

Using Bowen Theory to Examine Progress in Couple Therapy

Bartle‐Haring

Lal

2010

The Family Journal

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The purpose of this investigation was to test whether differentiation of self in couple members affected the trajectories of marital satisfaction, marital commitment, and individual well-being across the early sessions of therapy while taking into account the level of distress the couple was experiencing. The sample consisted of 127 couples seeking services at an on-campus couple and family therapy clinic. A latent growth curve modeling approach was used for data analysis. Even though differentiation of self or distress levels were not found to be predictive of change in marital satisfaction, commitment, or well-being, for both husbands and wives higher levels of differentiation were predictive of lower distress scores and higher baseline scores for well-being. Higher levels of distress were associated with lower levels of marital satisfaction for both husbands and wives. When there was a change in commitment, both husbands and wives seemed to change together. Implications of the results for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

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Marital Satisfaction of Healthy Differentiated and Undifferentiated Couples

Cited by 19 publications

References 12 publications

Relationship Among Differentiation of Self, Relationship Satisfaction, Partner Support, and Depression in Patients With Chronic Lung Disease and Their Partners

Relationship Among Differentiation of Self, Relationship Satisfaction, Partner Support, and Depression in Patients With Chronic Lung Disease and Their Partners

Zen and the art of dating: Mindfulness, differentiation of self, and satisfaction in dating relationships.

Using Bowen Theory to Examine Progress in Couple Therapy

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