This ex post facto co-relational study focused on the relationship between differentiation of self and perception of health in the family of origin and marital intimacy and fusion in the present marital relationship, in a non-clinical sample of 250 married couples. Couples were matched (high, medium, low) or mismatched with respect to their perception of the family of origin experience. Two matching criteria were used, one based on past perception (PERHEL) and the second on present perception (INTERGEN) of family of origin experience. The independent variable investigated was the perception of differentiation in the family of origin. The dependent variables assessed were spousal fusion and intimacy in the family of procreation. One dependent measure of fusion (PAFS) and two dependent measures of intimacy (PAFS and PAIR) in the marital relationship were considered. / Hypothesis 1 which predicted that couples "matched" with respect to level of differentiation, irrespective of the level of match, would enjoy greater marital intimacy and hypotheses 2 which predicted less discrepancy between perceived and expected marital intimacy scores for matched compared to mismatched couples, were not supported. / There was considerable support for hypotheses 3 and 4. Couples matched at high levels of differentiation (INTERGEN) reported greater intimacy than couples matched at medium and low levels of differentiation and medium matched couples showed greater intimacy than low matched couples. In hypothesis 4, couples matched at high levels of differentiation (PERHEL and INTERGEN) reported less fusion than couples matched at medium and low levels of differentiation and medium matched couples showed less fusion than low matched couples. / Lastly, Bowen's (1978) suggestion, that since individuals seek marital partners at similar levels of differentiation, their perceptions of the family of origin experience would be similar, was supported. / Other findings included significant correlations between antecedent (FOS, PAFS) and consequent (PAFS, PAIR) measures. / Results were discussed with respect to the method employed, future research and family therapy. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-03, Section: A, page: 0801. / Major Professor: Murray Krantz. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77953 |
| Contributors | McCreanor, David Patrick., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 154 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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