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Deng M, Tadesse E, Khalid S, Zhang W, Song J, Gao C. The influence of insecure attachment on undergraduates' jealousy: the mediating effect of self-differentiation. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1153866. [PMID: 37691814 PMCID: PMC10484705 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1153866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Jealousy is a complex emotion and can be healthy or pathological, depending on the intensity and the degree of control. Excessive jealousy was characterized by anxiety, anger, and alienation in the insecure attachment relationship. Objective To explore how insecure attachment triggered this intense emotion, this study investigated the relationship between two insecure attachment dimensions and jealousy and explored the influence of self-differentiation on the relationship. Method A total of 477 undergraduates participated in the study, and the Bringle self-report jealousy scale (BSJS), the relationship questionnaire (RQ), the intimate relationship experience questionnaire (ECR), and the revised edition of self-the differentiation questionnaire (DSR) were used. Result The results showed that: (1) attachment anxiety had a significant positive predictive effect on jealousy, but attachment avoidance had no significant positive predictive effect; (2) self-differentiation partially mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and jealousy, but it has no significant mediating effect between attachment avoidance and jealousy. Conclusion The results suggest that attachment anxiety was correlated with jealousy because it strengthened the intensity of anxiety and anger toward their attachment figures and became out of control through a lower level of self-differentiation, which has important implications for clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Deng
- Humanities and Management School, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Endale Tadesse
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sabika Khalid
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weida Zhang
- School of Education, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Junrong Song
- Computational Media and Arts, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunhai Gao
- Faculty of Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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Rodríguez-González M, Bell CA, Pereyra SB, Martínez-Díaz MP, Schweer-Collins M, Bean RA. Differentiation of self and relationship attachment, quality, and stability: A path analysis of dyadic and longitudinal data from Spanish and U.S. couples. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282482. [PMID: 36862686 PMCID: PMC9980780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the current study, we examined the relationship between differentiation of self (DoS) and key relationship functioning variables among couples. This is the first study to test such relationships using a cross-cultural longitudinal approach (i.e., samples from Spain and the U.S.) while controlling for stressful life events-a key theoretical construct in Bowen Family Systems Theory. METHODS A sample of 958 individuals (n = 137 couples from Spain, and n = 342 couples from U.S.) was used in cross sectional and longitudinal models to analyze the effects of a shared reality construct of DoS on anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, relationship stability, and relationship quality while considering gender and culture. RESULTS Our cross-sectional results indicated that men and women from both cultures experienced an increase in DoS over time. DoS predicted increased relationship quality and stability and decreased anxious and avoidant attachment in U.S. participants. Longitudinally, DoS predicted increased relationship quality and decreased anxious attachment for Spanish women and men, while it predicted greater relationship quality and stability and decreased anxious and avoidant attachment of U.S. couples. Implications of these mixed findings are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of DoS are linked with a better couple relationship across time, despite varying levels of stressful life events. Although some cultural differences regarding the links between relationship stability and avoidant attachment exist, this positive link between differentiation and the couple relationship is mostly consistent across the U.S. and Spain. The implications and relevance for integration into research and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chance A. Bell
- Department of Counseling, School Psychology, and Family Science, University of Nebraska Kearney, Kearney, NE, United States of America
| | - Sergio B. Pereyra
- Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation, California State University, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - María Pilar Martínez-Díaz
- Psychology Department, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Schweer-Collins
- Prevention Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Roy A. Bean
- School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
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Busonera A, Lampis J, Cataudella S. Starting University at the Time of COVID-19: Psychoemotional Adjustment of a Group of Italian Students. JOURNAL OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37361378 PMCID: PMC9975844 DOI: 10.1007/s10804-023-09444-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
The transition from school to university typically occurs during emerging adulthood; this coming together of multiple challenging development tasks at the same time may be stressful for some students. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and above all the health measures implemented to deal with it, may have been an additional factor contributing to the difficult adaptation of first-year students to academic life. This study evaluated the role played by emotional processing and differentiation of self for psychological well-being in a sample of 218 Italian students (78.4% women) who began their 1st year of college during the pandemic. The results showed that higher levels of differentiation of self, combined with fewer signs of unprocessed emotions, predicted lower psychological distress. The data support the importance of these variables as protective factors in promoting psychological well-being along with the transition to adulthood and adaptation to new life challenges. These findings draw attention to the relevance of support services aimed at university students and of emerging adults in general in considering and promoting the role of self-differentiation and the style of emotional processing for addressing well-being and mental health during the transition to adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Busonera
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jessica Lampis
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Stefania Cataudella
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Allsop DB, Price AA, Hanna-Walker V, Leavitt CE, Milius EH, Driggs SM. Longitudinal associations between attachment, differentiation of self, and couple sexual and relational outcomes. SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2021.2003320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David B. Allsop
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Amber A. Price
- School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Veronica Hanna-Walker
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Emily H. Milius
- School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Shayla M. Driggs
- School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
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Alexithymia and Self Differentiation: The Role of Fear of Intimacy and Insecure Adult Attachment. CONTEMPORARY FAMILY THERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10591-021-09567-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIt is suggested in literature that there is a link between Alexithymia and Self-Differentiation; however, little is known about possible mediation factors. The goal of this work is to test in a non-clinical population of adults the mediation role of Fear of Intimacy and Adult Attachment in the relationship between Alexithymia and Self-Differentiation. A sample of 258 participants self identified as gay or lesbian, aged 20–50 years (M: 30.29; SD: 7.27), 45% of whom were males, completed self-reported measures of Alexithymia (TAS-20), Self-Differentiation (SDI), Fear of Intimacy (FIS); and Insecure Adult Attachment (RAAS). Our results show that Alexithymia predicts Self-Differentiation both directly and indirectly, through Fear of Intimacy and Insecure adult attachment. In addition, Fear of Intimacy directly influences Self-Differentiation, and also mediates the relationship between Alexithymia and Adult Attachment which, in turn, negatively predicts Self-Differentiation. In conclusion, Alexithymia predicts Self-Differentiation while Fear of Intimacy and adult attachment may act as mediators of the report. Limitations of the study and directions of future research are described.
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Sommantico M, Iorio I, Lacatena M, Parrello S. Adult Attachment, Differentiation of Self, and Relationship Satisfaction in Lesbians and Gay Men. CONTEMPORARY FAMILY THERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10591-020-09563-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWe examined adult attachment styles, differentiation of self, and relationship satisfaction in a sample of 298 Italian lesbians (48%) and gay men (52%), all of whom were ages 19–71 years (M = 36.1; SD = 11.8) and in a couple relationship for at least six months. Participants were recruited via the Internet and completed a web-based survey. We tested the hypotheses that attachment insecurity and differentiation of self would predict relationship satisfaction, as well as that differentiation of self would mediate the relationship between adult attachment and relationship satisfaction. Results supported the hypotheses, thus indicating that attachment insecurity and differentiation of self were correlated with and predicted relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, results supported the hypothesized mediating role of differentiation of self. Finally, results indicated that younger participants, lesbians, and participants in civil unions reported higher levels of relationship satisfaction. Implications for counselors and therapists working with LG populations are discussed.
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Lampis J, Cataudella S, Agus M, Carta S, Rodríguez-González M, Lasio D, Serri F, Galluzzo W. Differentiation of self and the decision to seek systemic psychotherapy: a comparison between a help-seeking and a normative sample. COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY QUARTERLY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09515070.2019.1653263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Lampis
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - S. Cataudella
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M. Agus
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - S. Carta
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - D. Lasio
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - F. Serri
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - W. Galluzzo
- European Institute of Systemic Training and Counselling, and Relational Therapy (Iefcos.Tre), Cagliari, Italy
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