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Individuation in Adults’ Family Interactions: An Observational Study

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Abstract

The study investigates the status of individuation in adult child–parent relationships expressed in verbal interactions, as well as considering verbal behavior as a means to individuate. A sample of 41 German adult children aged 20–45 years and their 39 mothers and 19 fathers were videotaped in dyadic conflict discourse. The interactions were coded in their entirety, and scales were allocated to the factor connectedness, individuality, and conflict. Group comparisons show that mothers and fathers do not differ. Middle-aged adults interacted in a more individuated manner than young adults. Their mothers interacted in a way that was more connected and less conflictual than mothers in interactions with younger adults; their fathers, on the other hand, interacted more conflictual. The behavior of adult children and their parents did not differ and so expressed a high amount of behavioral symmetry. Associations between the self-report about the relationship and family members’ behavior point to verbal interaction as a means for negotiating the relationship.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Grants from the German Research Foundation. We are grateful to Diana Rieger for assistance with the recruitment and the organization of the study, to Petra Gräbner, Annett Hoffmann, and Babett Wunder for their help with data coding, and Alison Benbow for her help with manuscript preparation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departement of Psychology, University of Paderborn, Warburger Straße 100, 33098, Paderborn, Germany

    Heike M. Buhl

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Jena, Jena, Germany

    Berit Scholwin & Peter Noack

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  1. Heike M. Buhl
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  2. Berit Scholwin
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Correspondence to Heike M. Buhl.

Appendix

Appendix

Scales of the observational system. The dimensions follow the Family Macro-Coding Manual (Holmbeck et al. 1995, adapted by Srugies 1999, and Scholwin 2008). The assignment to the factors individuality, connectedness, and conflict are added in parentheses.

Dimension: Interaction Style

  • Clarity of thoughts and expressions (INDIVIDUALITY)

  • Listening to others

  • Confidence in stating opinions (INDIVIDUALITY)

  • Requesting input from other person

  • Comfort level during interaction

  • Involvement (INDIVIDUALITY)

  • Receptiveness to statements made by others (CONNECTEDNESS)

  • Providing explanations for position (INDIVIDUALITY)

Dimension: Conflict

  • Level of conflict (CONFLICT)

  • Frequently disagreeing with others (CONFLICT)

  • Tolerating differences and disagreements (INDIVIDUALITY)

  • Attempted resolution of issues

Dimension: Affect

  • Intensity of affect expression/emotionality

  • Warmth

  • Supportiveness (CONNECTEDNESS)

  • Anger

  • Humor and laughter

Dimension: Control

  • Overt power

  • Attempted influencing on others (CONFLICT)

  • Pressuring others to agree (CONFLICT)

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Buhl, H.M., Scholwin, B. & Noack, P. Individuation in Adults’ Family Interactions: An Observational Study. J Adult Dev 22, 100–111 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-014-9204-z

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