Comparison of Differentiation of Self, Couple Burnout, and Emotional Intimacy in Divorce-seeking and Normal Couples

Abstract

Divorce is an undeniable fact of personal and social life and it happens when the life together is unbearable for the couple. The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing differentiation of self, couple burnout and emotional intimacy in divorce-seeking and normal couples. This research is of comparative causal type. The statistical population of the research included all couples applying for divorce who referred to four counseling centers (Ehya, Khanevade, Negahe No and Hamrah) in Rasht and non-applicant couples living in Rasht in spring and summer of 2022. The investigated sample includes 150 people (75 from divorce-seeking couples and 75 from non-seeking couples) who were selected by convenience sampling method, and were evaluated using the differentiation of self-inventory (DSI), couple burnout measurement (CBM) and personal assessment of intimacy in relationships (PAIR). The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and independent t-test. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the two groups of divorce applicants and non-divorce applicants in all aspects of differentiation of self, couple burnout and emotional intimacy (P< 0.01). Also, the results of the independent t-test showed that there is a significant difference in the total score of differentiation of self, couple burnout and emotional intimacy between the two groups (P< 0.01) and the mean of differentiation of self and emotional intimacy in the group of couples who did not file for divorce and the mean couple burnout was higher in applicant couples. The results of this research showed that the low level of couple burnout as well as having more differentiation of self and intimacy between couples can provide health and stability in their lives.

Keywords

• couple burnout
• differentiation of self
• divorce-seeking couple
• emotional intimacy