The Relationship Between Differentiation of Self and Marital Quality in Turkish Married Women: The Mediating Role of Dyadic Adjustment

Year 2023, Volume: 13 Issue: 71, 481 - 493, 29.12.2023

Özgür Tönbül Asude Özdemir

https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1274945_6

Abstract

This study aims to examine the mediating role of dyadic adjustment in the relationship between self-differentiation and marital quality in married women. The participants of the study consist of 304 women selected by convenience sampling method. A Personal Information Form, Differentiation of Self Scale, Renewed Couple Adjustment Scale, and Marriage Quality Scale were used as data collection tools. Data analysis was carried out with SPSS 22 and AMOS 23 programs. The fit values of the model established in the study showed a perfect fit (X2/sd=1.348, NFI=.994, CFI=.998, IFI=.998, RMSEA=.034). In the subsequent correlation analysis, a significant and positive relationship was observed between the predictor variables and the predicted variables (p<.01). Regression analysis revealed that differentiation of self significantly predicted marital quality (β= .46, p<.01). It was observed that the effect of the differentiation of self (independent variable) on the quality of marriage (dependent variable (β= .46, p<.01), decreases with the inclusion of the mediator variable which is dyadic adjustment in the model (β=.12, p<.01). Thus, that dyadic adjustment was found have a mediating role in the relationship between the differentiation of the self and the marital quality. The results were discussed in light of the literature.

Keywords

Differentiation of Self, Dyadic Adjustment, Marriage, Marriage Quality

References

• Arpita, L. (2006). Relationship among differentiation of self, relationship satisfaction, partner support, depression, monitoring/blunting style, adherence to treatment and quality of life in patients with chronic lung disease [Doctoral Dissertation, The Ohio State University].
• Aryamanesh, S., Fallahchai, R., Zarei, E., & Haghighi, H. (2012). Comparison of differentiation among satisfying couples and conflicting couples in Bandar Abbas city. Journal of Life Science and Biomedicine, 2(6), 308–314.
• Bayraktaroğlu H.T., & Çakıcı E. T. (2017). Psychometric properties of revised form dyadic adjustment scale in a sample from North Cyprus. International Journal of Educational Science, 19 (2-3), 113-119. https://doi.org/10.1080/09751122.2017.1393954
• Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. Aronson.
• Broderick, C. B. (1993). Understanding family process. Sage.
• Busby, D. M., Christensen, C., Crane, R. D., & Larson, J. H. (1995). A revision of the dyadic adjustment scale for use with distressed and non-distressed couples: Construct hierarch and multidimensional scales. Journal of Marital Family Therapy, 21, 289-298. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.1995.tb00163.x
• Campos B. (2007). Culture and teasing: The relational benefits of reduced desire for positive self-differentiation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin; 33:3-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167206293788
• Çağ, P., & Yıldırım, İ. (2013). Evlilik doyumunu yordayan ilişkisel ve kişisel değişkenler. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 4(39), 13-23.
• Ersanlı, K., & Kalkan, M. (2008). Evlilik ilişkilerini geliştirme kuram ve uygulama (1. Baskı). Nobel Yayın Dağıtım.
• Glenn, N. D. (1990). Quantitative research on marital quality in the 1980s: A critical review. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 818-831. https://doi.org/10.2307/353304
• Gonzalez, M. R., Lampis, J., Murdock, N. L., Schewer-Collins, M. L., & Lyons, E. R. (2020). Couple adjustment and differentiation of self in the United States, Italy, and Spain: A cross-cultural study. Family Process, Preprint, 1-17, https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12522
• Gündogdu, A. (2007). Relationships between self-constructs and marital quality (Publication no: 218059) [Master Dissertation, Middle East Technical University]. CoHE Thesis Center.
• Ferreira, L. C., Fraenkel, P., Narciso, I., & Novo, R. (2015). Is committed desire intentional? A qualitative exploration of sexual desire and differentiation of self in couples. Family Process, 54(2), 308–326. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12108
• Fincham, F. D., & Bradbury, T. N. (1987). The assessment of marital quality: A reevaluation. Journal of Marriage and Family, 49(4), 797-809. https://doi.org/10.2307/351973
• Griffin JR, J. M., & Apostal, R. A. (1993). The influence of relationship enhancement training on differentiation of self. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 3(19), 267-272. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.1993.tb00987.x
• Hahlweg, K. (1996). Fragebogen zur Partnerschaftsdiagnostik [Assessment of marital distress]. Hogrefe.
• Hall, M. (2013). The Bowen family theory and its uses. International Psychotherapy Institute.
• Harrison, M.D. (2003). Partners' level of differentiation of self and perceived relationship quality in gay and lesbian couples. [Doctoral Dissertation, Fielding Graduate Institute]. Fielding Graduate Institute ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
• Hollander, S. (2007). Differentiation of self and emerging adulthood. [Doctoral Dissertation, Florida International University]. ProQuest ETD Collection for FIU. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/dissertations/AAI3279227
• Işık, E., & Bulduk, S. (2014, April 24-26). Benliğin ayrımlaşması ölçeğinin üniversite öğrencileri için geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması [Conference presentation abstract]. Uluslararası Avrasya Eğitim Araştırmaları Kongresi.
• Işık, E., Özbiler, Ş., Schweer-Collins, M. L. & Rodríguez-González, M. (2020). Differentiation of self predicts life satisfaction through marital adjustment. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 48:3, 235-249. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2020.1732248
• Kaleta, K. (2014). Marital satisfaction, differentiation of self and stress perceived by women. Polskie Forum Psychologiczne, 19(3), 325–339. https://doi.org/10.14656/PFP20140302.
• Kalkan, M. (2002). Evlilik ilişkisini geliştirme programının, evlilerin evlilik uyum düzeyine etkisi (Publication no: 122596) [Doctoral Dissertation, Ondokuz Mayıs University]. CoHE Thesis Center.
• Kalkan, E. & Aydoğan, D. (2019). Evlilik ilişki kalitesini benlik açısından değerlendirme: Benliğin farklılaşması ve ilişkisel özgünlük. Ondokuz Mayıs University Journal of Education Faculty, 38(1), 174-189. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/omuefd/issue/46119/494918
• Kapucu, O. (2014). Evli çiftlerin evlilik kalitesi ve bağlanma stillerinin demografik özellikler açısından incelenmesi [Yayınlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi]. Üsküdar Üniversitesi.
• Kerr, M. E. (1988). Chronic anxiety and defining a self. The Atlantic Monthly. www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/nursing/m4050/baker/85715u03/Kerr.pdf 29.04.2019 14:15.
• Knauth, D. A., & Skowron, E. A. (2004). Psychometric evaluation of the Differentiation of Self Inventory for adolescents. Nursing Research, 53(3), 163–171. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006199-200405000-00003
• Kruse N. (2007). The Relationship between self-differentiation and the levels of trust, shame, and guilt in intimate relationships (Publication no: 3268866) [Doctoral Dissertation, Alliant International University]. Alliant International University Los Angeles ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
• Kurdek, L. A. (2005). Gender and marital satisfaction early in marriage: A growth curve approach. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67, 68–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-2445.2005.00006.x
• Kurt, İ. E. (2018). Ebeveynlik stresi ve evlilik kalitesi arasındaki ilişkide stresle çift olarak baş etmenin aracı rolünün incelenmesi (Publication no: 497964) [Doctoral Dissertation, Çukurova University]. CoHE Thesis Center.
• Lal, A., & Bartle-Haring, S. (2011). Relationship among differentiation of self, relationship satisfaction, partner support, and depression in patients with chronic lung disease and their partners. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 37(2), 169-181. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00167.x
• Lampis, J. (2016). Does partners’ differentiation of self predict dyadic adjustment? Journal of Family Therapy, 54, 303–318. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12073.
• Lampis, J., Cataudella, S., Busonera, A., & Skowron, E. A. (2017). The role of differentiation of self and dyadic adjustment in predicting codependency. Contemporary Family Therapy, 39(1), 62–72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-017-9403-4
• Larson, J. H. (2003). The great marriage tune-up book. Jossey-Bass.
• McGoldrick, M., Carter, E. A., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2016). The expanding family life cycle: Individual, family, and social perspectives (5th ed.). Pearson.
• Meydan, C. H. & Şeşen, H. (2011). Yapısal eşitlik modellemesi AMOS uygulamaları. Detay Yayıncılık.
• Mosmann, C., Wagner, A., & Féres-Carneiro, T. (2006). Qualidade conjugal: Mapeando conceitos [Marital quality: Mapping out concepts]. Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto), 16(35), 315-325. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-863X2006000300003
• Murphy, F. M. (1999). Is the Bowen theory universal? Level of differentiation of self and marital adjustment among Asian-Americans (Publication no: 9920529) [Doctoral Dissertation, The Wright Institute]. The Wright Institute ProQuest Dissertations Publishing
• Nazlı, S. (2017). Aile danışmanlığı uygulamaları. Anı Yayıncılık.
• Nichols, M. P., & Schwartz, R. C. (2005). The essentials of family therapy. Allyn & Bacon.
• Nichols, M. P. (2013). Aile terapisi: Kavramlar ve yöntemler. Kaknüs Yayınları.
• Olson, D. H. (2000). Circumplex model of marital and family systems. Journal of Family Therapy, 22, 144-167. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.00144
• Özgüven, İ. E. (2009). Evlilik ve aile terapisi (2.nd Edition). PDR Yayınları.
• Peleg, O., & Grandi, C. (2018). Differentiation of self and trait anxiety: A cross-cultural perspective. International Journal of Psychology, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12535
• Polat, K. (2014). Evli bireylerde çift uyumu ve bazı psikolojik belirtilerin benliğin farklılaşması açısından incelenmesi (Publication no: 378571) [Master Dissertation, Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University]. CoHE Thesis Center.
• Polat, K., & Ilhan, T. (2018). An investigation of dyadic adjustment, and some psychological symptoms with respect to differentiation of self among married individuals. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 8, 87–115.
• Proulx, C. M., Helms, H. M., & Buehler, C. (2007). Marital quality and personal well‐being: A meta‐analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69(3), 576-593. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00393.x
• Robinson, L. C., & Blanton, P. W. (1993). Marital strengths in enduring marriages. Family Relations, 42, 38-45. https://doi.org/10.2307/584919
• Rodríguez-González, M. (2016). Differentiation of self: adaptation of an assessment instrument and analysis of its relation with the couple relationship, stress, and health [Doctoral dissertation, the University of Santiago de Compostela]. Library of the University of Santiago de Compostela.
• Rodrıguez-Gonzalez, M., Skowron, E. A., Cagigal de Gregorio, V., & Munoz San Roque, I. (2016). Differentiation of self, mate selection, and marital adjustment: Validity of postulates of Bowen theory in a Spanish sample. American Journal of Family Therapy, 44(1), 11–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2015.1099415
• Ross, C. E., Mirowsky, J., & Goldsteen, K. (1990). The impact of the family on health: The decade in review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 52(4), 1059-1078. https://doi.org/10.2307/353319
• Roytburd, L.F., Myrna, L. (2008). Predictors of Soviet Jewish refugees' acculturation: Differentiation of self and acculturative stress. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14:67-74. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.14.1.67
• Sabatelli, R. M. (1988). Measurement issues in marital research: A review and critique of contemporary survey instruments. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 891-915. https://doi.org/10.2307/352102
• Sabatelli, R. M., & Bartle-Haring, S. (2003). Family-of-origin experiences and adjustment in married couples. Journal of Marriage and Family, 65(1), 159–169. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2003.00159.x
• Sarıkaya, Y., Boyacı, M., İlhan, T., & Aldemi, A. (2018). Adaptation of the differentiation of self-inventory short form (DSI-SF) to Turkish: Validity and reliability study. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, 7, 365–380. https://doi.org/10.14686/buefad.364196
• Schnarch, D. (1998). Passionate marriage. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Skowron, E. A., & Friedlander, M. L. (1998). The differentiation of self-inventory: Development and initial validation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45(3), 235-246. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.45.3.235
• Skowron, E. A. (2000). The role of differentiation of self in marital adjustment. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47(2), 229-237. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.47.2.229
• Skowron, E. A., Holmes, S. E., & Sabatelli, R. M. (2003). Deconstructing differentiation: Self-regulation, interdependent relating, and well-being in adulthood. Contemporary Family Therapy, 25(1), 111-129. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022514306491
• Skowron, E. A., & Schmitt, T. A. (2003). Assessing interpersonal fusion: Reliability and validity of a new DSI fusion with others subscale. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 29(2), 209-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2003.tb01201.x
• Spanier, G. B. (1976). Measuring dyadic adjustment: New scales for assessing the quality of marriage and similar dyads. Journal of Marriage and Family, 38(1), 15-28. https://doi.org/10.2307/350547
• Spanier, G. B., & Cole, C. L. (1976). Toward clarification and investigation of marital adjustment. International Journal of Sociology of the Family, 6(1), 121-146.
• Spanier, G. B., & Lewis, R. A. (1980). Marital quality: A review of the 1970s. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 42, 825–39. https://doi.org/10.2307/351827.
• Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2015). Çok değişkenli istatistiklerin kullanımı (6. baskı) M. Baloğlu (Çev. Ed.). Nobel Akademi Yayınları.
• Titelman, P. (2014). Differentiation of self: Bowen family systems theory perspectives. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315809717
• Tönbül, Ö. (2020). Evli bireylerin erken dönem uyumsuz şemaları ile benlik farklılaşma düzeylerinin evlilik ilişkisi inançları üzerindeki etkisinin incelenmesi (Publication no: 646474) [Master Dissertation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart]. CoHE Thesis Center.
• Wamboldt, F. S. & Reiss, D. (1989). Defining a family heritage and a new relationship identity: Two central tasks in the making of a marriage. Family Process, 28, 317–335. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.1989.00317.x
• Williams, K. (2003). Has the future of marriage arrived? A contemporary examination of gender, marriage, and psychological well-being. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 44(4), 470-487. https://doi.org/10.2307/1519794
• Wickrama, K. A. S., Lorenz, F. O., Conger, R. D., & Elder, G. H. (1997). Marital quality and physical illness: A latent growth curve analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 59(1), 143-155. https://doi.org/10.2307/353668
• Xue, Y., Xu, Z.Y., Zaroff, C., Chi, P., Du, H., Ungvari, G.S., Chiu, H.F.K., Yang, Y.P. & Xiang, Y.T. (2018). Associations of differentiation of self and adult attachment in individuals with anxiety-related disorder. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 54, 54-63. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12200