Calatrava M, Martins Mariana V, Schweer-Collins M, Duch-Ceballos C, Rodríguez-González M
Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; School of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain.
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Clin Psychol Rev. 2022 Feb;91:102101. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102101. Epub 2021 Nov 13.
Bowen Family Systems Theory's central construct, differentiation of self (DoS), is one of the most recognized constructs to systemic researchers and psychology professionals. The present study reviewed the available evidence on DoS from the inception of the construct until July 31, 2020. A scoping review was conducted and a total of 295 primary studies were eligible for inclusion. Literature was categorized according to the hypotheses postulated by Bowen regarding: the associations between DoS and psychological and health outcomes and how DoS stability and similarity in partner levels operate within family systems. Descriptive data regarding studies on the measurement of DoS and in the area of psychotherapy were also compiled. Results revealed that there is ample support for DoS as a predictor of psychological health and marital quality, and that there are positive associations between DoS and better physical health and intergenerational relationships. Results of this review show that there continue to be underexplored hypotheses and a paucity of longitudinal or causal research designs to test the stability of DoS, the intergenerational transmission of DoS, and the efficacy of clinical interventions in modifying DoS to promote optimal well-being. Recommendations and next steps for researchers and practitioners are outlined.
鲍文家庭系统理论的核心概念——自我分化（DoS），是系统研究者和心理学专业人士最为认可的概念之一。本研究回顾了从自我分化概念提出到2020年7月31日期间关于自我分化的现有证据。进行了一项范围综述，共有295项初级研究符合纳入标准。文献根据鲍文提出的假设进行分类，这些假设涉及：自我分化与心理和健康结果之间的关联，以及自我分化稳定性和伴侣水平相似性在家庭系统中的运作方式。还汇编了关于自我分化测量研究和心理治疗领域的描述性数据。结果显示，有充分证据支持自我分化可作为心理健康和婚姻质量的预测指标，且自我分化与更好的身体健康和代际关系之间存在正相关。本综述结果表明，仍有未充分探索的假设，并且缺乏纵向或因果研究设计来检验自我分化的稳定性、自我分化的代际传递，以及临床干预在改变自我分化以促进最佳幸福感方面的效果。概述了针对研究人员和从业者的建议及后续步骤。
