Abstract

FIORINI, Milena Carolina; MULLER, Fernanda Graudenz  and  BOLZE, Simone Dill Azeredo. Differentiation of self: integrative review of international empirical articles. Pensando fam. [online]. 2018, vol.22, n.1, pp. 146-162. ISSN 1679-494X.

The differentiation of self refers to the capacity to obtain balance between the functioning of emotional, intellectual, intimacy and autonomy in relations. The objective of this study was to identify and to analyze the variables associated to the process of differentiation of self in international empirical researches, published in the last five years. It was made an integrative literature review, starting from the search in the data base Wef of Science, which resulted in 22 scientific articles. The publications were analyzed in relation to the year, method, sample and country where they were performed. It was done, yet, a thematic categorization, based in the similarity of the contents covered for the researches. The results indicated positive associations of the differentiation of self with variables related to the psychological welfare and to the capacity of interpersonal relationship, and negative associations with phenomenon that have relation with psychological suffering and mental disorders. These findings reinforce the importance of differentiation of self in individual, marital and family psychotherapeutic interventions.

Keywords : Family systems theory; Differentiation of self; Literature review; Constitution of self.

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