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A Longitudinal Perspective on Differentiation of Self, Interpersonal and Psychological Well-Being in Young Adulthood

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Abstract

The over-time relationship between differentiation of self and interpersonal and psychological well-being was examined in a sample of young adults in order to test the hypothesis that greater differentiation of self—that is, lower emotional reactivity, better capacity to take an “I” position in relationships, less emotional cutoff, and lower fusion with others—predicted greater interpersonal and psychological health. Results of hierarchical regression analyses confirmed that greater Time 1 differentiation of self predicted lower Time 2 psychological and interpersonal distress after controlling for Time 1 distress levels. Further, canonical correlation analyses revealed several significant patterned associations between aspects of differentiation of self and specific interpersonal problems. Implications for family interventions are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported through a research initiation grant from the College of Education at the Pennsylvania State University. The authors wish to thank Brian D. Keller, Sarah Franze, Kelly Blasko, and Kathrine Gela for their assistance with data collection. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Elizabeth A. Skowron, in the Counseling Psychology Program, Department of Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services, 327 Cedar Building, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802–3110. E-mail: eas14@psu.edu.

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  1. Counseling Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Elizabeth A. Skowron, Krystal L. Stanley & Michael D. Shapiro

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  1. Elizabeth A. Skowron
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  2. Krystal L. Stanley
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  3. Michael D. Shapiro
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Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Skowron.

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Skowron, E.A., Stanley, K.L. & Shapiro, M.D. A Longitudinal Perspective on Differentiation of Self, Interpersonal and Psychological Well-Being in Young Adulthood. Contemp Fam Ther 31, 3–18 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-008-9075-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-008-9075-1

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