Gender and Generation: The Relative Influence of Intimacy and Individuation With Mother and With Father for Spousal Intimacy and Individuation Among Dual-Earner Husbands and Wives

Abstract

Drawing on anchor points from earlier scholarly work contained in family therapy perspectives, this study examined intimacy and individuation among husbands and wives from gender-sensitive and intergenerational perspectives. Scales assessing personal authority in the family system were utilized to ascertain husbands and wives' perceptions of intimacy and individuation with mother, with father, and with their spouse. The relative influence of intimacy and individuation with mother and father for spousal intimacy and individuation was examined. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that intimacy and individuation with mother predicted spousal individuation and that individuation with father predicted spousal intimacy. Clinical implications of these results for narrative approaches to therapy are discussed.