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Working within the framework of the Bowen’s\ud Family Systems Theory and using data from 318 nonclinical\ud participants, the present study assessed a model\ud in which codependent behaviors were predicted by dyadic\ud adjustment in couple relationships and differentiation of\ud self. Results indicated that the dimensions of differentiation\ud of self (I-position, emotional reactivity, emotional cutoff,\ud fusion with others) were more important in explaining\ud the codependent behavior compared to the dimensions of\ud dyadic adjustment (dyadic satisfaction, cohesion, consensus,\ud affective expression). These results suggest the importance\ud of considering the dynamics and outcomes of the\ud process of differentiation of self both in research and in\ud counselling and clinical practice with individuals, couples,\ud and families

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The present study expands on Bowen’s systemic multigenerational theory to analyse the role of individual trajectories of differentiation of self in perceived dyadic adjustment in a sample of 468 Italian participants. The research also explored which aspects of differentiation of self most strongly predicted dyadic adjustment in the total sample and in male and female subsamples. The various components of differentiation of self (emotional reactivity, emotional cut-off, emotional fusion and I-position) and dyadic adjustment levels were investigated using the revised differentiation of self-inventory and the dyadic adjustment scale (DAS). The analysis revealed that the emotional cut-off dimension was the strongest negative predictor of dyadic adjustment. The research focused on the importance of differentiation of self processes to achieving an understanding of couple dynamics in research and clinical practice

The Differentiation of Self (DoS) is a key concept of Bowen’s theory, indicating a process that begins in early infancy and progresses throughout childhood and adolescence, to reach a basic level in early adulthood. This study examined the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (DSI-R) Skowron, Schmitt, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 29:209–222, 2003), a multidimensional measure assessing DoS as conceptualized by Bowen. The sample comprised 671 subjects (age 19–69 year). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that the Italian DSI-R possesses good psychometric properties. Internal consistencies were adequate. Correlations with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised, and the trait form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were consistent with the theoretical relations among the constructs. The findings confirm the use of DSI-R as a psychometrically sound measure of the differentiation of self in the Italian context. Implications for future research and clinical practice are addressed