According to Bowens Family systems theory self – differentiation defiance as a
construct that consists of two interrelated abilities : the first is an intrapsychic
ability to distinguish between the thoughts and feelings , and an inter personal
ability to maintain connections with others while achieving an autonomous self .
The present research concerned in testing the hypothesis of marital similarity
(people married persons with the same level of self – differentiation).
The present research aimed to:
1. Measures self – differentiation of university officers .
2. Measures self - differentiation of sample husbands' .
3. Measures self - differentiation of sample wives .
4. Acquaint to the relation between self – differentiation for husbands and self
– differentiation for him wives.
To achieve this aims it should used instrument to measure self – differentiation
that is ( Al – kabee , 2007 ) scale , this was build depending on ( skowron &
schmith , 2003 ) inventory in penns lvania university , the face validity obtained
for this inventory in this research also internal consistency ( alpha coefficient at
value ( 0.84 )
The research result was obtained through applying the inventory on a sample
consist of (44 ) couples ( husbands and wives ) which mean ( 88 ) university
officers from Baghdad university .
The result was :
1. The total level of self - differentiation of university officers is moderate.
2. The total level of self – differentiation of males (husbands' ) is high ,while the
total level of self-differentiation of females(wives) is moderate but there are no
statistically significant differences in self-differentiation between them.
3. There are a positive , high statistically significant relationship between self –
differentiation for husbands and self – differentiation for him wives that’s indicate
to marital similarity in self – differentiation for the sample of present research , this
represent supporting for the marital similarity hypothesis in self – differentiation in
Iraqi society .