Separation-individuation and intimacy capacity in college women.

Investigated the hypothesis that intimacy capacity in young adulthood is dependent on satisfactory resolution of separation-individuation issues. Intimacy capacity and separation-individuation were rated for 89 college women, using an intimacy interview developed by the 2nd author et al (see record 1974-03199-001) and the Separation Anxiety Test. Only 17.6% of Ss displayed a high capacity for intimacy. As predicted, merger and low-intimacy-status Ss demonstrated more disorders of separation-individuation than high-intimacy-status Ss. In relation to this latter group, merger and low-intimacy Ss displayed a significantly lower capacity for individuation and self-reliance, a higher need to defend against the reality or impact of separation, and a greater tendency toward depression in the face of separation from and loss of attachment figures. Results support the hypothesis. (45 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)