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Mediating and Moderating Effects of Differentiation of Self on Depression Symptomatology in a Rural Community Sample

Differentiation of self—a core construct of Bowen’s family systems theory, which represents psychological health and healthy functioning—was examined as a possible predictor of depression and as a mediator and moderator of the relation between family conflict (F-CON) and depression symptomatology (DEP). A total of 60 racially diverse adults (M = 41.20, SD = 8.53) from a rural community participated. All data were obtained from standardized self-report questionnaires measuring family variables (F-CON and differentiation of self) and psychological outcome (DEP). F-CON and differentiation of self were correlated with and predictive of DEP. A multivariate, multiple regression model revealed that differentiation of self partially mediated the effects of F-CON on DEP. However, results from a hierarchical regression model showed that differentiation of self did not moderate the relation between F-CON and DEP. Taken together, these preliminary findings provide evidence of the importance of the associations between family systemic factors (F-CON and differentiation of self) and DEP. Implications and directions for future research and family counseling are put forward.