Impact of Family Functioning on the Differentiation of Self of Brazilian University Students

Abstract

The relationship between family functioning and differentiation of self has been established by classical systemic authors, but little explored by empirical research, especially in Brazil. This quantitative study aimed to analyze the relationship between family functioning and differentiation of self of Brazilian university students. Eight hundred undergraduates of both genders participated in the research, with an average age of 22.7 years. It was found that students with higher levels of differentiation of self perceived family communication and satisfaction more positively. Tangled families proved to be the least favorable to the differentiation process. It was found that males and older undergraduate students displayed higher levels of differentiation. Finally, university students with higher levels of differentiation, who belonged to families regarded as healthy, were more satisfied with their career These findings may contribute to the practice of psychologists with young adult university students, both in clinical and career counseling settings.