Validation of the Chinese Version of Differentiation of Self Inventory (C‐DSI)

Abstract

Although the need to develop objective assessment tools in different cultures is well-recognized, there is a severe lack of objective measures about emotional functioning in the Chinese context. This project conducted three studies to validate the Chinese version of the Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI). Study 1 looked at the factor structure, internal consistency, concurrent validity, and construct validity of the C-DSI. Study 2 examined the test-retest reliability of the C-DSI. Study 3 tested the discriminant validity of the C-DSI in a clinical sample and in a nonclinical sample and examined its correlations with the General Contentment Scale (GCS). The study results suggested that the C-DSI possesses good psychometric properties. Findings also indicated implications of divergent cultures and hinted at treatment implications--taking the familistic orientation and the Chinese meaning of self into consideration to understand the differentiation of self in the Chinese culture context.

Spanish Adaptation Of The Differentiation Of Self Inventory-Revised (DSI-R)

“…Confirmatory factor analyses (subsample 2, n With respect to possible cross-cultural variations in the construct of differentiation of self, results of this study indicate that two other aspects of differentiation of self, namely the ability to take an I position in one's relationships and the extent of fusion with others did not emerge in the Spanish sample as conceptually distinct dimensions that are seen in the US population. Consistent with other studies on Russian, Chinese, Portuguese and Filipino populations (Glebova, Bartle-Haring & Strength, 2011;Lam & Chan-So, 2010;Tuason & Friedlander, 2000), these two dimensions of differentiation of self have shown less cross-cultural stability, than ER and EC. In a sample of Russian participants, the ability to take I positions in relationships appear to overlap with other cultural expressions with different meaning and SPaniSh adaPtation of the differentiation of Self inventory-reviSed (dSi-r)…”

“…One exception though comes from a study conducted in Korean culture that documented the IP component of differentiation as a powerful predictor of self-esteem (Chung & Gale, 2006). Some have argued for specification of fusion with others in the Chinese population for example, to focus on "fusion with one's family" in particular, to better reflect the phenomenon of fusion in Chinese culture (Lam & Chan-So, 2010). In sum, the cultural context in which one's relationship system is embedded is important for the expression of dimensions of differentiation of self.…”

“…A search of PsyInfo from the period of 1980 to 2010, showed that approximately half of the published research on differentiation relies on it to operationalize the construct . Further, psychometrically-sound versions of the DSI exist in English, Chinese (Lam & Chan-So, 2010), French, Russian, and Portuguese, whereas a Spanish-language version of the DSI has been missing . For these reasons, we selected the DSI (Skowron & Schmitt, 2003) as the most suitable questionnaire focused on measuring differentiation of self to translate for use with Spanish-language populations as a necessary tool for furthering research and practice informed by Bowen theory.…”

Differentiation of Self and Dyadic Adjustment in Couple Relationships: A Dyadic Analysis Using the Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model

“…Our sample was recruited in Italy, a Western country in which the individualistic values common to Western countries coexist with the strong collectivistic family values common to Eastern countries (Lampis, ). It seems that the fusion with others scale may have tapped normal processes of regulation of self and interaction experiences rather than the over‐involvement with significant others that characterizes individuals with poor differentiation (Lam & Chan‐so, ; Lampis, Busonera et al., ; Lampis, Cataudella et al., ). The emotional reactivity results run counter to the results of other studies (e.g., Lampis, ; Peleg, ; Skowron, ; Skowron et al., ) but they may have been influenced by the nature of our non‐clinical sample, which—as a whole—showed good differentiation of self and dyadic adjustment.…”

Does partners’ differentiation of self predict dyadic adjustment?

“…In Italy the individualistic culture which is common to Western countries coexists with strong family values, characterized by emotional and physical closeness and mutual support throughout life. In this context, the items on the FO scale may have been associated with normal self and interpersonal regulation processes, rather than with the over‐involvement with significant others that characterizes poor differentiation (Lam and Chan‐So, ; Tuason and Friedlander, ). Family values are extremely important in understanding Italian couple relationships, but further research is needed to confirm what is a preliminary finding.…”