Individuation in Adults’ Family Interactions: An Observational Study

The study investigates the status of individuation in adult child–parent relationships expressed in verbal interactions, as well as considering verbal behavior as a means to individuate. A sample of 41 German adult children aged 20–45 years and their 39 mothers and 19 fathers were videotaped in dyadic conflict discourse. The interactions were coded in their entirety, and scales were allocated to the factor connectedness, individuality, and conflict. Group comparisons show that mothers and fathers do not differ. Middle-aged adults interacted in a more individuated manner than young adults. Their mothers interacted in a way that was more connected and less conflictual than mothers in interactions with younger adults; their fathers, on the other hand, interacted more conflictual. The behavior of adult children and their parents did not differ and so expressed a high amount of behavioral symmetry. Associations between the self-report about the relationship and family members’ behavior point to verbal interaction as a means for negotiating the relationship.