ASSESSING INTERPERSONAL FUSION: RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF A NEW DSI FUSION WITH OTHERS SUBSCALE รน AN ARTICLE CRITIQUE
The purpose of this research is to critique an article by Elizabeth Skowron and Thomas Schmitt that appeared in the Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy in 2003. The bibliographic data for the article is as follows:
Skowron, E. A., & Schmitt, T. A. (2003, April). Assessing interpersonal fusion: Reliability and validity of a new diffusion with others subscale. Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy, 29 (2), 209-222.
The critique of this article focuses on four principal issues. These issues are as follows:
1. What was the authors' primary objective in conducting the research project reported in the article?
2. What were the strengths and weaknesses of methodology followed in the conduct of the research project reported in the article?
3. To what extent were the authors' successful in attaining the principal objective of the research project reported in the article?
4. In what ways and to what extent are the results of the project reported in the article useful or beneficial to the field of marriage and family therapy?
What Was the Authors' Primary Objective in Conducting the Research Project Reported in the Article?
The focus of the research reported in the article was on one component (sub-scale) of the Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI). The DSI is a multidimensional instrument that measures differentiation by an individual in relation to four sub-scales. The instrument is designed for use in clinical applications of Bowen Family Systems Theory.
Therapist-family interactions in Bowen Family Systems Theory focus on both individual and interpersonal dynamics within the family environment. The therapist encourages constructive talking and listening primarily between family members and therapist, as opposed to direct communication among family members. The approach of Bowen Fam...