Bibliography: #BIB26331

web link	bahai-library.com/bibliography/BIB26331
reference type	Thesis
title	Levels Of Differentiation Among Iranian Baha'i Females
author	Roohi, Hengameh
year	2008
date	October 2008
place published	West Los Angeles, CA
abstract	The current study addresses the effect of family system and cultural system on Iranian females who immigrated to the United States during the past 10 years. This study examined the levels of differentiation among Iranian Baha'i women who, while growing up, have been exposed to a traditional Iranian cultural system. This study argues that traditional cultural system impacts the level of differentiation. This paper explores this argument first through a review of the literature which emphasizes insight from family systems theory, particularly level of differentiation, with insights from former studies on the Iranian cultural system, Baha'i principles, and levels of differentiation among collectivistic cultures. Literature from the past 10 to 15 years on differentiation of self, ethnicity, and personal adjustment is reviewed. The research conducted in this study through semi-structured interviews indicated that the women coming from a traditional family have a lower level of differentiation, higher level of triangulation, lower level of pseudo self , and higher level of emotional cutoff. The theoretical framework of the study is provided by Family Systems Theory, with a focus on the work of Bowen. The study had the follow ing objectives: 1. To explore and describe how Iranian Baha’i woman’s levels of triangulation influence her levels of differentiation of self. 2. To explore and describe how Iranian Baha’i woman’s levels of emotional cut off influence her levels of differentiation of self. 3. To explore and describe how Iranian Baha’i woman’s levels of pseudo self influence her levels of differentiation of self. The core of the study was comprised of a set of in depth semi-structured interviews with ten women ages 20-40. The interviews were based on Bowen theory with a main focus on level of differentiation. The objective of the semistructured interview was to explore the linkage between (a) Bowen’s concepts of triangulation, pseudo self, emotional cutoff and (b) level of differentiation. The results of the study, presented in Chapter 4, indicated that the women who were interviewed exhibit different level of emotional cutoff, triangulation and pseudo self and showed how these affected their level of differentiation. Also the importance of cultural and religion values that contribute to the level of differentiation were among the findings of the study. The results of this study will have important implications for mental health policies and services for new Baha’is who immigrate to the United States and face the stress and anxiety due to their immigration and adjustment process. Further research should apply a comparison of two different religion groups by applying family system theoretical model.
language	English
keywords	DIFFERENTIATION; WOMEN; IRANIANS; UNITED STATES; CULTURE; IRAN
number of pages	xi, 115
thesis type	Doctorate
academic department	Clinical Psychology
university	California Graduate Institute of The Chicago School
degree	Ph.D.

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