Differentiation of Self, Life Span Theory, and Higher Stages of Human Development

Abstract

What are the relationships among differentiation of self in Bowen theory, the object-referral/self-referral continuum of self in life-span development theory, and enduring self-states associated with peak experiences during meditation practice? Examining their interactions has practical implications: Can self-development in one system support development in others? Thirty-seven students were administered Skowron and Friedlander's Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI) and the Survey of Peak Experiences (SPE), measuring frequency of momentary transcendent experiences during rest and enduring peak experiences during activity and sleep. Scores on the DSI in these subjects were similar to those in other adult populations. Between the two measures, there was a strong correlation between lower Fusion with Others and lower Emotional Reactivity on the DSI and higher peak experiences during rest and sleep on the SPE. Growth of the self-referral aspect of self, which is associated with peak experiences cultivated by transcendence, were meaningfully correlated with two subscales of differentiation of self.