Differentiation and job satisfaction: Does the Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI-R) predict job satisfaction as measured in the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS)

Bowen family systems theory was revolutionary in describing an approach that turned the focus of psychology from intrapsychic processes to an interpersonal process of complex relational dynamics (Bowen, 1985). The implications of a theory describing the function of interpersonal systems has impacted the study of both organizational psychology and functioning in the workplace. Differentiation is described as the ability of a psychological healthy individual to distinguish thoughts from feelings, react rather than respond and operate from a stance of personal responsibility as defined by areas of emotional reactivity, fusion, cut-off and the ability to operate from the I-position in relationships (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998). The concept of differentiation has been explored in marital relationships, parenting, family dynamics and other areas of family psychology and clinical practice, however, few studies have explored differentiation in the workplace. This study will explore how levels of differentiation impact an individual's experience of job satisfaction through the use of the Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI-R) (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998) and the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) (Spector, 1985).