The Effects of Locus of Control and Differentiation of Self on Relationship Satisfaction

Previous research has shown that internal locus of control and a high degree of differentiation of self are more beneficial to a person’s overall well-being. Using a sample of clients at a university based couple and family therapy clinic, we hoped to show evidence that an internal locus of control and high degree of differentiation of self are associated with higher relationship satisfaction. After analyzing results from questionnaires, we found that for men, there was a direct relationship between locus of control and differentiation of self, as well as differentiation of self and men’s and women’s relationship satisfaction. Introduction Locus of control and self-differentiation are two personal characteristics that may be correlated with marital satisfaction. Marital satisfaction is a subjective measure based on whether an individual’s needs, expectations, and desires are being met in a marriage (Bahr, Chappell, & Leigh, 2008). Unsatisfying marriages have been linked to depression and anxiety (Fincham & Bradbury, 1993; Peleg, 2008), while satisfying marriages are linked to positive mental health (Rogers, Young, Cohen, Dworen, & Lipetz, 1970). Age and gender are two factors that are associated with happiness in a marriage (Bahr, Chappell, & Leigh, 2008; Schumm, Ballman, & Jurich, 1997), as well as lifestyle choices, such as roles, religion, occupation, and child rearing (Helms, Walls, Crouter, & McHale, 2010; Ahmadi & Hossein-abadi, 2009; Hughes, 1992). Individual traits can also affect marital satisfaction. The present study investigates the relationships among locus of control, differentiation of self, and marital satisfaction. Locus of control (LOC) describes where people place the cause of their actions. Those who believe that outcomes are results of their own actions have an internal locus of control, The Effects of Locus of Control and Differentiation of Self on Relationship Satisfaction 3 while people with an external locus of control attribute outcomes to the environment, luck, or fate. Therefore, those with an internal LOC will view rewards as reinforcements of their own actions, thoughts, or behavior (Rotter, 1966). According to the literature, an internal locus of control is generally more beneficial than an external one in that the former is correlated with better emotional health and well-being. People with higher self-esteem are more often internally oriented (Fish & Karabenick, 1971). Also, Landau (2000) examined the relationship between locus of control and socioeconomic status and their effects on depression and life satisfaction in a sample of Israeli widows. She found that life satisfaction was higher and depression levels were lower in widows with an internal locus of control, regardless of socioeconomic status. This is because those with an internal LOC have the skills to reorganize their lives, engage in more achievement oriented behaviors, and are less compliant and conforming. Similarly, Deneve and Cooper (1998) found in a meta-analysis of 137 personality traits, including locus of control, that accrediting control to an external source (i.e., having an external locus of control) can be damaging to subjective wellbeing. In addition to the effect that locus of control has on psychological well-being, it can also affect lifestyle choices and physical health. In an analysis of 123 respondents where some were smokers, some nonsmokers, and some former smokers, the former smokers were more internally oriented than the smokers (Molloy, Wolstencroft, King, Lowe, & Gardener, 1997). This showed the advantages of being internally oriented for making significant life changes. In another study, 123 joggers and 93 non-exercisers were given a questionnaire using the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Joggers’ scores were significantly higher on the The Effects of Locus of Control and Differentiation of Self on Relationship Satisfaction 4 internal subscale than non-exercisers (Slenker, Price, & O’Connell, 1985). These and other studies show that people with an internal locus of control are more likely to take steps to actively improve their health. In conjunction with the effects of locus of control on emotional and physical health, three previous studies have shown a link between LOC and marital satisfaction. In a sample of 44 couples, Mlott and Lira (1977) concluded that there were no differences in locus of control between stable and unstable marriages, but only differences between partners in unstable marriages. Doherty (1981) found similar results from the analysis of a questionnaire distributed to 86 couples. Camp and Ganong (1997), however, found that couples in satisfying marriages had a more internal locus of control compared with those in dissatisfying marriages. One possible explanation for this discrepancy is the scale used to measure LOC. Mlott and Lira and Doherty used Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, while Camp and Ganong used the Miller Marital Locus of Control Scale. Additionally, there were differences in samples. The first two listed studies used samples of couples in their twenties, while the latter used middle-aged couples. Lastly, the first two conducted their studies within four years of each other, while the latter work was done over a decade later. Changes in societal norms and pressures may have altered views and expectations in marriages, the mental processes of the average person, or the level of truth when being questioned. The present study used a clinical sample of couples seeking couple therapy at a university’s on-campus training clinic in order to explain the effects of locus of control on marital satisfaction while also taking into account differentiation of self. Differentiation of self is the ability to distinguish between emotion and thought (Bowen, 1978). People who are The Effects of Locus of Control and Differentiation of Self on Relationship Satisfaction 5 highly differentiated tend to be less emotionally reactive because they are able to think through their response rather than simply react to emotion evoking situations (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998). This means that they are able to recognize when thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are emotional or intellectual and have control over what will affect their behavior. This allows them to maintain individuality while still staying in connection in relationships (Bartle & Sabatelli, 1995). Like locus of control, self differentiation has also been shown to be linked to emotional health and positive well-being. Skowron, Stanley, and Shapiro (2009) found that in a sample of young adult college students, higher self-differentiation was correlated with fewer psychological symptoms and interpersonal problems. This also means that people who are more emotionally reactive and unable to regulate emotions have a less clear sense of self in relationships. Similarly, in a sample of 95 married men, higher levels of psychological wellbeing were observed in those with high levels of self-differentiation (Bohlander, 1999). Depression levels are also negatively correlated with differentiation of self (Elieson & Rubin, 2001). Non-depressed people are shown to have higher levels of differentiation of self than clinically depressed people. In conclusion, self-differentiated people are more likely to be happy and have better emotional health. Bartle (1993) found that men with lower levels of emotional reactivity were better able to trust in relationships. Bartle-Haring, Rosen & Stith (2002) showed that higher levels of differentiation of self were associated with decreased stressors and increased psychological well being. Rosen, Bartle-Haring, & Stith (2001) demonstrated that differentiation of self in the The Effects of Locus of Control and Differentiation of Self on Relationship Satisfaction 6 family of origin and in the current relationship also decreased the probability of violence in the current relationship. Previous studies have also examined the relationship between differentiation of self and marital satisfaction. From questionnaires completed by a sample of 39 middle-aged couples, Skowron (2000) found that highly differentiated couples were more satisfied with their marriages. Similar findings were reported by Peleg (2008), in an investigation involving 121 Israeli men and women at various stages of married life. Another study found that highly differentiated individuals experienced greater marital satisfaction, while undifferentiated people had higher marital stress (Lim & Jennings, 1996). Overall, people who have higher levels of differentiation of self appear to experience greater marital satisfaction. The present study also aims to show this same relation between differentiation of self and marital satisfaction. However, what is not known in the literature is the relationship between differentiation of self and locus of control and how each of these impact marital satisfaction. Additionally, Peleg (2008) did not include responses from both spouses. The present study includes a sample of couples instead of a sample of individuals, leading to greater understanding of how both locus of control and differentiation of self not only influence the “actors” relationship satisfaction, but also the partner’s. Finally, two of the three studies (Skowron, 2000; Lim & Jennings, 1996) were published over a decade ago, and with community