INDIVIDUATION IN YOUNG ADULTS IN MUNICH AND MILAN. Testing the Construct Validity of MITA-Dimensions in International Comparison

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1 INDIVIDUATION IN YOUNG ADULTS IN MUNICH AND MILAN Testing the Construct Validity of MITA-Dimensions in International Comparison Angelika Guglhoer-Rudan, Carolin Thoennissen, Sabine Walper (Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich) & Eugenia Scabini (Catholic University of Milan) 3th European Conference on Developmental Psychology, August 2-25 th 2007, University of Jena, Germany Contents. Individuation in Young Adults in Germany and Italy. Individuation in Early Adulthood 2. Young Adults in Germany and Italy: An International Comparison 2. Research Questions and Method. Research Questions 2. The YAGIS-Project and Sample 3. The Munich Individuation Test of Adolescence (MITA) 3. Testing the MITA-Dimensions. Confirmative Factor-Analysis of the MITA-Dimensions 2. Explorative Factor-Analysis of MITA-Dimensions with Milan Sample 3. Mean Differences in Individuation in Milan and Munich 4. Correlates of MITA-Dimensions 4. Testing the Construct-Validity of the MITA-Dimensions. Instruments: NRI and FRS 2. Correlations of MITA with NRI and FRS dimensions 5. Discussion

2 Contents. Individuation in Young Adults in Germany and Italy. Individuation in Early Adulthood 2. Young Adults in Germany and Italy: An International Comparison 2. Research Questions and Method 3. Testing the MITA-Dimensions 4. Testing the Construct-Validity of the MITA-Dimensions 5. Discussion. Individuation in Early Adulthood Development of autonomy while maintaining relatedness (Allen et al., 994; Blos, 966; Walper 2003; Youniss & Smollar, 985): : sympathy, loyalty, mutual support Autonomy: becoming independent from thoughts and intentions of others emotional autonomy autonomy of behavior cognitive autonomy economic autonomy Changes in Parental Control and Offspring Self-Regulation required Individuation is a developmental task in adolescence as well as in early adulthood

3 .2 Young Adults in Germany and Italy: An International Comparison Age at leaving the parental home is highest in Italy (Sgitta 200; Iacovou 200) Italy Germany Median Age of Home Leaving* Strong culturally framed family ties: famiglia lunga (Scabini & Cigoli 997) Family Welfare Regime vs. Mixed Welfare Regime (Vogel 2003) Youth unemployment in Italy (25%) is twice as high as in Germany (2%) *) see Iacovou 200 Contents Contents. Individuation in Young Adults in Germany and Italy 2. Research Questions and Method. Research Questions 2. The YAGIS-Project and Sample 3. The Munich Individuation Test of Adolescence (MITA) 3. Testing the MITA-Dimensions 4. Testing the Construct-Validity of the MITA-Dimensions 5. Discussion

4 2.. Research Questions () Can the original MITA-Dimensions be replicated for young adults in Germany as well as in Italy? (2) Are there mean differences in individuation by country? (3) Can the MITA-Dimensions be validated by other scales, e.g. the Network of Relationship Inventory (NRI) and the Filial Responsibility Scale (FRS)? 2.. Research Questions () Test of MITA-Dimensions: Confirmative Factor Analysis (AMOS) Test of MITA-Dimensions for Milan: Explorative Factor Analysis (SPSS) (2) Test of Mean Differences: Unpaired T-tests (3) 2-Cities-Comparison of correlations of MITA-dimensions: Pearson Correlations Test of Two Independent Correlation Coefficients (Preacher 2002)

5 2.2. The YAGIS Project and Sample Young Adults in Germany, Italy and Sweden (YAGIS) Life Design of Young Adults in Munich, Milan, Stockholm and Gothenburg, aged between Vocational Training, Job and Family : Young Adults in Munich and Milan 2007: Young Adults in Gothenburg and Stockholm 2.2. The YAGIS Project and Sample Munich Milan Total N Female 60.% (N=29) 55.7% (N=305) 57.8% (N= 596) Mean Age has Partner 6.2% (N=293) 63.7% (N=349) 62.5% (N=642) Coresiding with Parents 29.8% (N=44) 8.6% (N=447) 57.3% (N=59)

6 2.3. The MITA Munich Indiduation Test of Adolescence (Walper, Schwarz and Jurasic 996; Walper, 997, 998) - Based on the Separation-Individuation Test of Adolescence (SITA); Levine, Green, & Millon, 986; Levine & Saintonge, 993), strongly revised - Includes 6 scales measuring successful individuation as well as specific individuation problems - Similar versions for individuation RE: mother, father, best friend, romantic partner - Slightly adapted version for young adults Original Scales of the MITA for German Adolescents Scale Sample Item # of Items Alpha Mother Alpha Father Nurturance Seeking When she is near me, I have the feeling that nothing bad can happen to me Denial of Attachment Needs I get along well without her affection Engulfment Anxiety It drives me crazy if she questions me about my personal matters Fear of Love Withdrawal If I have disappointed my mother I am anxious that she does not like me any more Ambivalence I would like to do more things with her, but I am anxious to be a nuisance Successful Individuation Even if I don t like everything my mother does, I try to understand her

7 Contents. Individuation in Young Adults in Germany and Italy 2. Research Questions and Methods 3. Testing the MITA-Dimensions. Confirmative Factor-Analysis of the MITA-Dimensions 2. Explorative Factor-Analysis of MITA-Dimensions with Milan Sample 3. Mean Differences in Individuation in Milan and Munich 4. Correlates of MITA-Dimensions 4. Testing the Construct-Validity of the MITA-Dimensions 5. Discussion 3. Testing the MITA-Dimensions Testing the Original Model of MITA-Dimensions data from the Munich sample (n = 484) report regarding individuation in relation to mother

8 MITA Dimensions Munich Sample i i2 Support Seeking Individuation mitamo mitamo4 mitamot5 mitamo3 mitamo8 mitamo4 mitamo8 e e4 e5 e3 e8 e4 e8 i3 Denial of Attachment Needs mitamo6 mitamo24 mitamo27 e6 e24 e27 Chi²=590.8; df=238; p=.000; pbsb*=.00; CFI=.96; SRMR=.063; RMSEA=.055 (LO:.050; HI:.06) N=484; Kurtosis=92.9; Cr=60. *) p BSB = Bollenstine Bootstrap-p Engulfment Anxiety Ambivalence Fear of Love Withdrawal mitamo0 e0 mitamo2 e2 mitamo5 e5 mitamo7 e7 mitamo20 e20 mitamo26 e26 mitamo9 e9 mitamo9 e9 mitamo22 e22 mitamo23 e23 mitamo25 e25 mitamo7 e7 mitamo e mitamo2 e2 MITA Dimensions Munich Sample,79,9 -,00 i i2 MITA MOTHER,63 Support Seeking,84 Individuation,00 Denial of Attachment Need i3,00,63,75,6,88,67,57,59,56,55,82 mitamo mitamo4 mitamot5 mitamo3 mitamo8 mitamo4 mitamo8 mitamo6 mitamo24 mitamo27,77,33,40,45,35,3,57,3,68,37 e e4 e5 e3 e8 e4 e8 e6 e24 e27,24 Chi²=590.8; df=238; p=.000; pbsb*=.00; CFI=.96; SRMR=.063; RMSEA=.055 (LO:.050; HI:.06) N=484; Kurtosis=92.9; Cr=60. -,08 -,45 -,6,44,55,73 Engulfment Anxiety Ambivalence Fear of Love Withdrawal,65,48,72,64,60,7,7,57,58,67,50,43,58 mitamo0 mitamo2 mitamo5 mitamo7 mitamo20 mitamo26 mitamo9 mitamo9 mitamo22 mitamo23 mitamo25 mitamo7 mitamo,52,4,36,5,5,42,32,33,45,25,23,9,34 e0 e2 e5 e7 e20 e26 e9 e9 e22 e23 e25 e7 e,29,46,27,37,8 mitamo2,65 e2

9 3.. Test of the Original German MITA-Dimensions for the Italian Sample: Confirmative Factor-Analysis showed that the German MITA Modell does not fit for Italian Data: Chi²=808.3; df=238; p=.000; pbsb=.00; CFI=.852; SRMR=.0794; RMSEA=.066 (LO:.06; HI:.07) Back to SPSS: Explorative Factor-Analysis showed Ambivalence Engulfment Anxiety Amb2 Amb EA EA2 Insecure- Ambivalent Lack of Self- Disclosure Engulfment Anxiety Test of the MITA-Dimensions Testing the revised MITA-Dimensions for the Milan Sample

10 MITA Dimensions Milan Sample Chi²=672.; df=238; p=.000; p BSB =.00; CFI=.887; SRMR=.0677; RMSEA=.058 (LO:.053; HI:.063) N=548; Kurtosis=03.3; Cr=34.2 i i2 Support Seeking Individuation i3 Denial of Attachment Needs Lack of Self Disclosure Engulfment Anxiety 2 Insecure- Ambivalent Fear of Love Withdrawal mitamo e mitamo4 e4 mitamot5 e5 mitamo3 e3 mitamo8 e8 mitamo4 e4 mitamo8 e8 mitamo6 e6 mitamo24 e24 mitamo27 e27 mitamo0 e0 mitamo2 e2 mitamo5 e5 mitamo7 e7 mitamo20 e20 mitamo26 e26 mitamo9 mitamo9 mitamo22 mitamo23 mitamo25 mitamo7 mitamo mitamo2 e9 e9 e22 e23 e25 e7 e e2 MITA Dimensions Milan Sample Chi²=672.; df=238; p=.000; p BSB =.00; CFI=.887; SRMR=.0677; RMSEA=.058 (LO:.053; HI:.063) N=548; Kurtosis=03.3; Cr=34.2,30 -,4 -,25,23,3 -,6,8 i,9 -,95,30 i2,66 Support Seeking,84 Individuation i3,32 Denial of Attachment Needs,90 Lack of Self Disclosure,62,52 Engulfment Anxiety 2 Insecure- Ambivalent Fear of Love Withdrawal,85,73,83,6,3,56,7,42,67,64,79,59,64,60,75,63,64,56,7,37,45,59,62,55 mitamo mitamo4 mitamot5 mitamo3 mitamo8 mitamo4 mitamo8 mitamo6 mitamo24 mitamo27 mitamo0 mitamo2 mitamo5 mitamo7 mitamo20 mitamo26 mitamo9 mitamo9 mitamo22 mitamo23 mitamo25 mitamo7 mitamo mitamo2,68,38,53,0,32,35,5,4,40,40,63,37,32,72,50,35,4,20,57,38,8,40,3,45 e e4 e5 e3 e8 e4 e8 e6 e24 e27 e0 e2 e5 e7 e20 e26 e9 e9 e22 e23 e25 e7 e e2,25,07,3,35

11 3.2. MITA-Dimensions in Milan and Munich Confirmative Factor-Analysis showed. that the German MITA Modell does not fit for Data from Milan. 2. that the Italian MITA Modell does not fit for Data from Munich. The MITA-Dimensions Ambivalence and Engulfment Anxiety differ in both countries Mean Differences in Individuation in Munich and Milan 3,50 3,00 2,50 2,00,50,00 0,50 0,00 Munich Milan Fear of love withdrawl Fear of love withdrawl Significant differences between Munich and Milan: (M=3.3 vs. M=3.27); t=4,28; df=030; p=.000 Fear of Love Withdrawal (M=.40 vs. M=.86); t=,2; df=030; p=.000

12 3.3. Mean Differences in Individuation in Munich and Milan 2,5 2,5 0,5 Munich 0 Engulfment Anxiety Ambivalence Lack of Self-Disclosure Engulfment Anxiety red Insecure-Amvivalent red Milan Munich Milan Differences between anxieties in Munich (Engulfment Anxiety M=.99; Ambivalence M=.38) and Milan (Lack of Self-Disclosure M=2.29; Engulfment Anxiety red. M= 2.04; Insecure Ambivalent red M=.3) 3.4. Correlates of MITA-Dimensions MITA in Munich Fear of Love Withdrawal Engulfment Anxiety Ambivalence -.03 n.s. -.45** -.37** Engulfment Anxiety -.45**.27**.43** Ambivalence -.37**.44**.43** MITA in Milan Fear of Love Withdrawal N = 484; Fear of Love Withdrawal N = 483 Lack of Self- Disclosure Engulfment Anxiety 2 Insecure- Ambivalent.8** -.43** -.29** -.8 ** Lack of Self-Disclosure -.43**.5**.44**.22 ** Engulfment Anxiety (red.) -.29**.2**.44**.20 ** Insecure-Ambivalent -.8**.37**.22**.20** Guglhoer-Rudan; Thoennissen, N = 548 Walper & Scabini

13 Contents. Individuation in Young Adults in Germany and Italy 2. Research Questions and Method 3. Testing the MITA-Dimensions 4. Testing the Construct-Validity of the MITA-Dimensions. Instruments: NRI and FRS 2. Correlations of MITA with NRI and FRS dimensions 3. Results 5. Discussion 4. Instruments: NRI and FRS Network of Relationship Inventory (NRI) based on Furman & Buhrmester (985) German Version based on Wittmann, Helm, Buhl & Noack (2000) Correlations of MITA-Dimensions with NRI (Furman & Buhrmester, 985; German version: Wittmann, Helm, Buhl & Noack (2000) and FRS (Jurkovic & Thierfeld, 998)

14 NRI Dimensions total sample (Munich + Milan) e3 relmo3 e8 relmo8 ia - active e3 relmo3 e relmo e6 relmo6 e4 relmo4 e9 relmo9 e2 relmo2 e88 Instrumental Aid Support relmo2 e2 Intimicy relmo8 relmo22 e8 e22 Chi²= 695.0; df=303; p=.00; p BSB =.00; CFI=.947; SRMR=.0599; RMSEA=.052 (LO:.047; HI:.057) e5 e7 e relmo5 relmo7 relmo e4 relmo4 e5 relmo5 e6 relmo6 Conflict Power - Balance Affection enhancement of worth enhancement of worth & Satisfaction Emotional closeness e e22 e33 A-active A-passive e44 e66 relmo23 e23 relmo25 e25 relmo28 e28 relmo26 e26 relmo7 e7 relmo20 e20 relmo27 e27 relmo9 e9 relmo2 e2 relmo24 e24 NRI Dimensions total sample (Munich + Milan) Chi²= 695.0; df=303; p=.00; p BSB =.00; CFI=.947; SRMR=.0599; RMSEA=.052 (LO:.047; HI:.057) e3,72 relmo3,85 e8,44 relmo8,66 ia - active,5 e5,75 relmo5,86 e7,79,89 relmo7 e,69 relmo,83,57 e88 -,5 e3,34 relmo3,58,39 Instrumental Aid,65 Conflict,5,3 e4 relmo4,76,59,77 Power - e5 relmo5 Balance,30 e6 relmo6,55 e,38 relmo,6,55,58 -,32,73 -,23,65 e6 relmo6,30 e4,7 relmo4,89,84 e9,55 relmo9,74 e2,43 relmo2,65 Support,52,82 relmo2 e2,78,72 Intimicy relmo8 e8 -,22,88,76,87 relmo22 e22,8 relmo23 e23,40 e22 enhancement,63,00 relmo25 e25 of worth,9,65,83 enhancement of worth,8 relmo28 e28 & Satisfaction,79,00,04,00 e66,66 relmo26 e26,63 Emotional e33 closeness,9,77,88 relmo7 e7,92 A-active,80 relmo20,64 e20,84,98,77,96 relmo27 e27,88 Affection,23,67,89,82 relmo9 e9 e,90,8 A-passive relmo2 e2,79,63,79 relmo24 e24 e44,42

15 4. Instruments: NRI and FRS N=03 Filial Responsibility Scale Adults (FRS-A).45** (.44**/.45**) based on Jurkovic & Thierfeld (998)*.33** (.3**/.33**) n.s. Expressive Caregiving Overinvolvement Unfairness Cronbach s Alpha (Milan/Munich) Expressive Caregiving α =.75 (.76/.74) Extreme Involvement α =.67 (.68/.66) Unfairness α =.83 (.8/.84) Items *) only Items for current situation, not for past Correlations MITA- with FRS + NRI in Munich Sample (n = ) Expressive Caregiving Overinvolvement Unfairness NRI Conflict Support Received Intimacy Enhancement of Worth Affection Instrumental Aid Relative Power (balanced) Relative Power (mother) Enhancement of Worth & Satisfaction Emotional Closeness r ** -.50** -.33**.56**.63**.66**.73**.3**.25** **.77** N = is well confirmed: Higher for emotionally close, affective, satisfying relationship with mother. Similar correlations were also found for Milan sample.

16 4.2. Correlations MITA- Fear of Love Withdrawal with FRS + NRI in Munich Sample Expressive Caregiving Overinvolvement Unfairness NRI Conflict Support Received Intimacy Enhancement of Worth Affection Instrumental Aid Relative Power (balanced) Relative Power (mother) Enhancement of Worth & Satisfaction Emotional Closeness r.2**.20**.37**.7**.5** ** -.9** Milan:.6** Fear of Love Withdrawal is less well captured by FRS and NRI. Perceived Unfairness is a correlate in Germany, but less so in Italy. N = Correlations MITA Engulfment Anxiety (EA) and Ambivalence (AM) with FRS + NRI in Munich Sample EA AM Expressive Caregiving.27**.6** Overinvolvement Unfairness NRI Conflict Support Received Intimacy Enhancement of Worth Affection.00.42**.40** -.22** -.38** -.28** -.3**.06.58**.27** -.22** -.43** -.3** -.39** Engulfment Anxiety and Ambivalence relate to unfairness, conflict, and a lack of emotional closeness. Instrumental Aid.06. -,0 Relative Power (balanced) -.23** -,23** Relative Power (mother) ,06 Enhancement of Worth & Satisfaction -.33** -,38** Emotional Closeness -.34** -,42**

17 4.2. Correlations MITA Engulfment Anxiety (EA), Ambivalence (AM) and Lack of Self Disclosure (LSD) with FRS+NRI in Both Samples Munich Milan Expressive Caregiving Overinvolvement Unfairness NRI Conflict Support Received Intimacy Enhancement of Worth Affection Instrumental Aid Relative Power (balanced) Relative Power (mother) Enhancement of Worth & Satisfaction Emotional Closeness EA.27**.00.42**.40** -.22** -.38** -.28** -.3** ** ** -.34** AM.6**.06.58**.27** -.22** -.43** -.3** -.39** -,0 -,23** -,06 -,38** -,42** LSD,4** -,0,36**,9** -,45** -,63** -,38** -,30** -,2** -,4** -,02 -,43** -,39** EA red.29**.07.30**.3** -.8** -.23** -.7** -.2** * ** -.8** AM red,26**,08,39**,9** -,0 -,05 -,* -,23**,2** -,3** -,0* -,4** -,2** 5. Discussion In Germany, the MITA evidences the same dimensions for adolescence and young adulthood. In Italy, a specific aspect of individuation problems was found which was not evident (as distinct dimension) in the German sample: Lack of self disclosure. Mean differences point to higher relatedness and higher anxieties in Italy than in Germany. Nevertheless, the overall pattern of correlations between MITA scales and other scales is similar for Munich and Milan. For comparisons between Italy and Germany, it seems most appropriate to combine the various individuation problems (Engulfment Anxiety, Ambivalence, Lack of Self Disclosure) into a single indicator.

18 THANK YOU! Bibliography Furman, W. & Buhrmester, D. (985). Children's perceptions of the personal relationships in their social networks. Developmental Psychology, 27, Iacovou, M. (200). Leaving home in the European Union. In Working Papers of the Institute for Social and Economic Research (Vol ). Colchester: University of Essex. Preacher, K. J. (2002, May). Calculation for the test of the difference between two independent correlation coefficients [Computer software]. Available from Scabini, E. & Cigoli, V. (997). Young adult families. Journal of Family Issues, 8, Sgritta, G. B. (2003). Family and welfare systems in the transition to adulthood: A emblematic study. In L. Chisholm, A. De Lillo, C. Leccardi & R. Richter (Eds.), Family Forms and the Young Generation in Europe (Report on the Annual Seminar 200, Milan, Italy, September 200, Heft 6, S ). Wien: Österreichisches Institut für Familienforschung. Vogel, J. (2003). European welfare regimes and the transition to adulthood: A comparative and longitudinal perspective. In L. Chisholm, A. De Lillo, C. Leccardi & R. Richter (Eds.), Family Forms and the Young Generation in Europe (Report on the Annual Seminar 200, Milan, Italy, September 200, Heft 6, S ). Wien: Österreichisches Institut für Familienforschung. Walper, S. (2003b). Individuation im Jugendalter. In J. Mansel, H. M. Griese & A. Scherr (Hrsg.), Theoriedefizite der Jugendforschung (S. 9-43). Weinheim: Juventa. Walper, S., Schwarz, B. & Jurasic, S. (996). Entwicklung und Erprobung des Münchner Individuationstests. Berichte aus der Arbeitsgruppe Familienentwicklung nach der Trennung #8/996. Ludwig-Maximilians- Universität München.Jurkovic & Thierfeld (998) Wittmann, S., Helm, B., Buhl, H. M. & Noack, P. (2000). Dokumentation der Erhebungsinstrumente des Projektes 'Erwachsene und ihre Eltern'. Arbeitsbericht, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institut für Psychologie, Abteilung Pädagogische Psychologie. Youniss, J. & Smollar, J. (985). Adolescent relations with mothers, fathers, and friends. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

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