Separation-individuation, family functioning, and psychological adjustment in college students: a construct validity study of the Separation-Individuation Test of Adolescence.

We evaluated the construct validity of the Separation-Individuation Test of Adolescence (SITA; Levine, Green, & Millon, 1986). Based on a review of the theoretical literature on separation-individuation issues during late adolescence, predictions were made as to how SITA scores would correlate with aspects of family functioning and psychological adjustment. The SITA and a battery of self-report family and adjustment measures were administered to 454 college students (272 females and 182 males; 74% White, 16% African American, and 10% Asian American or Hispanic). Correlational analyses offered partial support for the construct validity of the SITA. Cluster analyses revealed four distinct groups of subjects (anxious deniers, healthy separators, peaceful detachers, and succorance seekers), each with its own coherent set of scores on the SITA and instruments measuring family relations and positive and negative psychological adjustment. Criticisms concerning the labels and composition of the SITA scales are also discussed.