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Understanding Differentiation of Self Through an Analysis of Individuality and Togetherness.

Holowacz, Eugene, holowacz

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Human Ecology: Human Development and Family Science.
Bowen (1966) created Family Systems Theory as a way to expand the comprehension of human behavior by using individual and familial factors. One concept nested within this theory is Differentiation of Self (DoS). DoS is a universal and multifaceted concept that pertains to one’s ability to use thoughts as opposed to emotions (intrapersonal DoS), and the interplay between individuality and togetherness (interpersonal DoS; Kerr & Bowen, 1988). Current instruments that measure DoS, such as the Differentiation of Self Inventory (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998) place individuality and togetherness on the same continuum, which has limited the understanding of DoS. Bowen (1966) hypothesized that one’s level of differentiation is directly correlated with one’s anxiety (Skowron & Friedlander, 1988), and could contribute to the presentation of symptoms, such as an alcohol use disorder (Bowen, 1974). However, the current understanding of Bowen’s (1966) concept of DoS is limited, in that individuality and togetherness are treated as if they are on the same continuum, where individuality is a more desirable than togetherness. The belief that DoS is on one continuum removed the ability to study the positive aspects of togetherness. To further the research of DoS, an instrument, called the Differentiation of Self Quadrant Inventory (DSQI) was created that separated healthy and unhealthy individuality and togetherness, creating four subscales. The DSQI was piloted and tested for reliability, convergent validity, predictive validity, and discriminant validity. From these analyses, an instrument was created that was significantly related with another measure of DoS, and successfully predicted alcohol use and consequences associated with alcohol use. These findings not only supported Bowen’s (1974) theory that low DoS is significantly related to alcohol use, but expanded the understanding of DoS by including healthy togetherness.
Suzanne Bartle-Haring (Advisor)
Keeley Pratt (Committee Member)
Xin Feng (Committee Member)
97 p.

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Citations

  • Holowacz, holowacz, E. (2016). Understanding Differentiation of Self Through an Analysis of Individuality and Togetherness. [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1470938547

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Holowacz, holowacz, Eugene. Understanding Differentiation of Self Through an Analysis of Individuality and Togetherness. . 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1470938547.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Holowacz, holowacz, Eugene. "Understanding Differentiation of Self Through an Analysis of Individuality and Togetherness. ." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1470938547

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)