Differentiation of Self and Attachment Among Adult Daughters

Abstract

The relation among the variables differentiation of self, attachment to mother, and two indicators of mental health were studied in 83 nonclinical adult daughters from a Southern community. An a priori causal model was proposed and tested. Bowen's (1976) theory of differentiation of self and Bowlby's (1969) attachment theory provided the conceptual framework. An operational Daughter Model was tested using the statistical program LISREL. Compared to mothers, daughters scored significantly lower on differentiation of self. Daughter's attachment to mother and daughter's level of self-differentiation were not causally related, supporting the view that differentiation of self and attachment are separate variables in personality development. The daughters' levels of differentiation of self were positively related to positive energy, thus supporting Bowen's theory. These findings affirm the value of attachment behaviors and differentiation of self in adulthood, challenge therapists' bias against attachment behaviors of women, and provide a focus for mental health promotion among women.