Abstract
We explored the relations among stress, emotional support, and differentiation of self from the family of origin as predictors
of psychological distress in a sample of 200 college students. First, we investigated the discrepant findings of Murdock and
Gore (Contemp Fam Ther 23: 319–335, 2004) and Skowron et al. (J Couns Dev 82: 69–78, 2004) regarding the relationships among stress, differentiation, and symptoms (a question of mediation vs. moderation). Second,
we examined the role of emotional support in concert with stress and differentiation. When both stressful events and perceived
stress were measured, differentiation of self was found to be a significant partial mediator of their effects on psychological
distress. Emotional support was also found to partially mediate the relationship between differentiation of self and psychological
distress. Differentiation of self partially mediated the relationship between actual and perceived stress, and perceived stress
partially mediated the relationship between differentiation of self and psychological distress.
of psychological distress in a sample of 200 college students. First, we investigated the discrepant findings of Murdock and
Gore (Contemp Fam Ther 23: 319–335, 2004) and Skowron et al. (J Couns Dev 82: 69–78, 2004) regarding the relationships among stress, differentiation, and symptoms (a question of mediation vs. moderation). Second,
we examined the role of emotional support in concert with stress and differentiation. When both stressful events and perceived
stress were measured, differentiation of self was found to be a significant partial mediator of their effects on psychological
distress. Emotional support was also found to partially mediate the relationship between differentiation of self and psychological
distress. Differentiation of self partially mediated the relationship between actual and perceived stress, and perceived stress
partially mediated the relationship between differentiation of self and psychological distress.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-21
- DOI 10.1007/s10591-012-9207-5
- Authors
- Romana C. Krycak, Division of Counseling and Educational Psychology, School of Education, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Suite 215, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
- Nancy L. Murdock, Division of Counseling and Educational Psychology, School of Education, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Suite 215, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
- Jacob M. Marszalek, Division of Counseling and Educational Psychology, School of Education, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Suite 215, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
- Journal Contemporary Family Therapy
- Online ISSN 1573-3335
- Print ISSN 0892-2764