The Relationship between Differentiation of Self and Psychological Adjustment to Separation

Abstract

Many individuals suffer negative mental health consequences such as anxiety and depression following separation from a romantic partner and/or co-parenting conflict due to divorce. Consequently, treating the psychological aftermath of divorce and partner separation remains a predominant concern for mental health practitioners. According to family systems theory, high interdependence and low differentiation of self are associated with a lessened capacity for managing anxiety or adapting to stressful events since intense emotions may inhibit the ability to cope. To assess the relationship between differentiation of self and psychological adjustment to separation, 84 divorced adults completed an online survey. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that a model based on fusion with others, I-position, and emotional cutoff was a statistically significant predictor of lonely/negativity. Bivariate correlation analyses confirmed significant linear relationships between fusion with others, lonely/negativity, and co-parenting conflict. No differences between genders were found. There is a continuing need to develop interventions to address the negative consequences of divorce, help reduce emotional suffering, and encourage healthy co-parenting. Individuals struggling with psychological adjustment post-divorce, or those seeking education for managing the psychological effects of divorce and co-parenting, may benefit from counseling strategies that incorporate an assessment of differentiation of self and psychological adjustment to separation.

Transformative change comes from more than structured content: Qualitative exploration of parent experiences of a post‐separation group program

“…This is a novel finding, suggesting that this postseparation program was able to mitigate divorce-related stressors within the first few years of separation; this acceleration of mitigation is not part of the current model. Given that research suggests this immediate post-separation phase is a high-risk period for psychological distress (Moral et al, 2021), our findings highlight the need for further investigation into the manifestation of the Amato model in the immediate post-separation years and its implications for psychosocial intervention and supports. Central to mitigating these stressors for participants included emotionally regulating their personal response to separation and the program appears to facilitate a shift in focus among participants-from personal reactions (e.g., grief, feeling resentment toward ex-partner) to the needs of their children.…”

“…For most people, the psychological distress often associated with separation attenuates in the 2 years post‐separation (Amato, 2010; Halford & Sweeper, 2013). Despite this decline, chronic stress associated with co‐parenting conflict tends to remain stable (Halford & Sweeper, 2013; Moral et al, 2021). Indeed, more favorable attitudes toward co‐parenting (Jewell et al, 2017) and other positive changes (e.g., communicate effectively to resolve conflict) can occur when individuals are empowered and have agency (Treloar, 2019).…”

Healing the Separation in High-Conflict Post-divorce Co-parenting

“…HC situations are often characterized by recurrent legal disputes, high degree of anger and mistrust, communication problems linked to hostility, arguments, and disappointments, verbal and/or physical aggression, and difficulties in focusing on the needs of children as separate from the needs of the parents ( Bacon and McKenzie, 2004 ; Yárnoz-Yaben and Garmendia, 2016 ). Consequently, high levels of interparental conflict are extremely detrimental to the development of children ( Duerr and Hautzinger, 2019 ) by engaging negative psychological effects that tend to persist over time ( Moral et al, 2021 ). For professionals working with families who continue to quarrel after marital separation, it is one of the most complicated areas of their practice.…”