Date of Award

9-1-1991

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Counseling Psychology & Community Services

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if the level of differentiation of self in married couples could be influenced by an educational model of therapy. In support of this purpose the study was designed to demonstrate whether or not a systematic, easily defined, and repeatable intervention would increase the functional level of differentiation of self, as described by Bowen (1978e). The Relationship Enhancement (RE) skills training program by Guerney (1978a) was selected and incorporated as the independent variable. Changes in five specific measurement scales and a facilitator observation rating served as the dependent variables of interest.The measurement scales were administered to twenty couples (N = 40) at the beginning of a six-week own-control period, at the end of the wait period, and again at the conclusion of the treatment period. Six weekly, two and one-half hour training sessions were conducted resulting in a total of 15 hours of skills training for each individual. A total of six groups, consisting of three to four couples each, completed the training.Overall, as a result of the training intervention, the data show that (1) a significant increase in the functional level of differentiation of self occurred, (2) a significant increase in quality of relationship occurred, (3) a significant inverse relationship existed between differentiation of self and level of anxiety in subjects, and (4) no significant differences were found in the level of differentiation of self, quality of relationships, or level of anxiety of subjects based on gender.

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