Heather Huhnke

“Identity development of young adults was studied in terms of achieved levels of diff erentiation of self (Allain, 2009). In this case, difficulties in identity development and diff erentiation
from family of origin were shown to predict higher levels of distress, difficulties in coping, and
maladjustment to stressful situations. College students in the study who were shown to have
higher levels of diff erentiation of self from their families of origin were further shown to be more
likely to perceive themselves as better able to solve problems encountered in daily living. Similarly,
Hollander explored diff erentiation of self as a way of deepening our understanding of emerging
adulthood. While emerging adulthood is widely known, little is empirically understood about
the intra- and interpersonal development that occurs during this stage. In the study, Hollander

Copyright”
― Herbert Goldenberg, Family Therapy: An Overview