title: A family systems model for divorce and the loss of self.
abstract: The dissolution of a marriage through divorce represents a major loss in the lives of all family members. Losses can include those of a physical, social, and emotional nature. The self as it was defined within the marital context and the loss of that self as a result of divorce is a significant source of potential dysfunction in adult family members during and after the divorce. From a family systems' perspective, the lower the level fo differentiation of self in family members, the greater is the likelihood that the self was defined in a fusional way during the marriage. As such, when the fused common self is lost through divorce, one or both spouses is likely to experience a significant sense of loss as well as potential dysfunction. The purpose of this article is to propose a model that helps divorced people deal with the loss of self and assists them to define a more differentiated sense of self.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY 10471.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haber
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy