Meta-analysis of Self-differentiation Studies in Iranian Families

Abstract

Background. Enjoying family life and interpersonal or marital relationships as well as feeling satisfied are among the main desires of every person. Numerous studies show that self-differentiation is one of the most important intrapersonal and interpersonal elements in families, especially in Iranian ones, which is also associated with other psychological phenomena. Methods. This study was performed using the meta-analysis technique by integrating the results of various studies conducted in the field of consequences and preconditions of their differentiation in Iranian families. To this end, 33 eligible and acceptable studies were selected and meta-analyzed. Data collection was performed using a meta-analysis checklist. This study was based on 6205 samples and 33 sizes of effect. Results. The findings indicated that the effect size of the predictors and consequences of self-differentiation in Iranian families had a large-sized average effect (r=0.46, SE=0.06,1, P<0.001). Conclusion. Based on the findings, self-differentiation in the position of predictor and criterion variables was related to different psychological characteristics in Iranian families. Practical Implications. The results of this study, in addition to enriching national science and knowledge and guiding future studies, provided a comprehensive understanding of this psychological characteristic in the cultural and social context. Also, it can have special practical consequences in designing and developing treatment protocols based on self-differentiation in families according to the culture of our country.