AAMFT JMFT Webinar Series: Differentiation of Self

Join Dr. Neophytou for a comprehensive exploration of Bowen’s cornerstone construct of Differentiation of Self (DoS), integrating foundational clinical theory, psychometric rigor, and cultural sensitivity. Dr. Neophytou will initially present the clinical aspects of DoS, using Murray Bowen’s clinical continuum and the concept of the solid self to highlight common misconceptions. He will then contextualize DoS within Bowen’s multigenerational framework and the dynamics of the nuclear family system. Next, the session will delve into Professor Elizabeth Skowron’s operationalization of DoS, emphasizing the four subfactors derived from her original Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI; Skowron & Friedlander, 1998). The webinar will focus on the recently published adaptation and psychometric validation of the Greek short-form version of the DSI-Revised (“Measuring Differentiation of Self within the Greek Culture: Theoretical and Psychometric Validation of a Greek Short Form of the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised”), highlighting its clinical utility and sharing cross-cultural insights from various adaptations of the DSI-R. Kleanthis will conclude with a discussion of the contradictory findings in the literature regarding partner similarity in DoS, considering implications for future research and clinical practice.