The moderating effect of differentiation: Education and health in married couples

Abstract

This study had four hypotheses based on Bowen Family Systems Theory. First, to determine the similarity in couple members' levels of differentiation, a latent profile analysis was performed. About 67% of couples reported less than a point difference on average between their scores on the differentiation subscales used. Second, whether differentiation was associated with physical health was determined by comparing the means of health indicators for couple members across the latent profile classes, and it was found that health and differentiation were related as expected. Finally, to determine whether differentiation moderated the associations between education, stress, and health, a group comparison procedure was performed for an Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. Evidence suggested that differentiation moderated some of these associations.

Differentiation of self and relationship attachment, quality, and stability: A path analysis of dyadic and longitudinal data from Spanish and U.S. couples

“…A recent scoping review, conducted by Calatrava and colleagues [ 46 ], pointed out more longitudinal studies in the field of DoS are needed. Specifically, among the 56 empirical studies reviewed that tested the potential positive effect of higher levels of DoS on the couple relationship, only two of them presented longitudinal data with a sample of more than 300 participants [ 10 , 31 , 47 ]. This is the first study where a comparison between two different cultures has been conducted, and with a sample size near 1,000 participants (N = 958).…”

“…This limits any potential interpretations, as no other longitudinal data exists for comparison. The longitudinal data about DoS from the U.S. comes from the Flourishing Families Project (FFP), which has been used in three prior and relevant published studies [ 10 , 26 , 31 ]. This clearly underscores the need to develop new projects regarding DoS and relationship functioning using longitudinal designs.…”

“…Prior research on couples shows the relevance of stress to relational functioning [ 5 , 6 , 30 , 31 ]. Couples can face numerous stressful events and situations over a lifetime.…”