Individuation in cultural context: Views from Austria, Slovenia, Turkey, and the U.S.A. Chris Bjornsen 1, Aysun Dogan 2, Merve Balkaya 2, Ulrike Sirsch 3, Maja Zupančič 4, Melita Puklek Levpušček 4, and Luka Komidar 4. 1 Longwood University, Farmville, U.S.A., 2 Ege University, Izmir, Turkey, 3 University of Vienna, Austria, 4 University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

1. Chris Bjornsen – Individuation in Cultural Context: A View from the U.S.A., Longwood University, U.S.A. 2. Ulrike Sirsch – Aspects of Individuation – Views from Austria; University of Vienna, Austria 3. Maja Zupančič, (Melita Puklek Levpušček, Luka Komidar) Connectedness to Parents and Self-Reliance in Emerging Adulthood: Associations with Perceptions of Parents and Orientation towards Individualism and Collectivism; University of Ljubljana, Slovenia 4. Aysun Dogan (Merve Balkaya) The Role of Culture and Parenting Practices in Examining Individuation Among Turkish Emerging Adults; Ege University, Turkey 5. Discussants: Leo Hendry and Marion Kloep - University of Aberdeen, Scotland

Purpose The focus of this study was to advance understanding of the factors linked with aspects of successful individuation in relation to parents among emerging adults (EA) in separate cultures, with an emphasis on culture-level variables that may impact upon the development of individuation. Individuation during emerging adulthood is generally considered to represent increased self-reliance and decision-making while maintaining or reestablishing connectedness to parents Various studies have demonstrated the connection between individuation and adjustment to college, psychosocial maturity, mental health, and life satisfaction

Data were collected online using an identical questionnaire in four cultures Part 1: Personal data/demographics/transitional markers (age, sex, living situation, financial status, etc.) Part 2: Cultural background, experiences (see list below) Part 3: Perceptions of Parents Scale, college student version (POPS); Separate versions for mother, father (Robbins, 1994) Part 4: Auckland Individualism and Collectivism Scale (AICS; Shulruf et al., 2011) Part 5: Individuation Test for Emerging Adults (ITEA); Separate versions for mother, father (Komidar, Zupančič, Sočan, & Puklek Levpušček, 2014 Methods and Variables

Perceptions of Parents Scale (Robbins, 1994 ) 21 items each, mother/father Perception that parents support one’s autonomy, are involved with the young adult, and provide warmth. Subscales: Involvement, Autonomy, Warmth Subscales were highly inter-correlated; PCA analyses used to create Mother and Father factors – Supportive Parenting Mother/Father Background measure: POPS

Auckland Individualism-Collectivism Scale (Shulruf, Alesi, Ciochina, Faria, Hattie, Hong, Pepi, & Watkins, 2011) 26 items Individualism – Competitiveness (place high value on competing with others) – Uniqueness (think one is different and unique) Collectivism – Advice (seek advice from close others before a decision) – Harmony (seek to avoid conflict with others) Background scales: AICS

Individuation Test for Emerging Adults Komidar, L., Zupančič, M., Sočan, G., & Puklek Levpušček, M., (2014). Development and Construct Validation of the Individuation Test for Emerging Adults, Journal of Personality Assessment, 96(5), items each, mother/father 2 Subscales used: Connectedness (mutual respect, understanding, open communication) Self-Reliance (autonomous decision-making) Intended to reflect the individuation process for EA rather than adolescents, on which most previous scales have focused (Now available in 9 languages.) Outcome measure: ITEA

Culture Connectedness Mother Post-hocConnectedness Father Post-hocSelf-Reliance Mother Post-hocSelf-Reliance Father Post-hoc Austria4.15 Aus > USA p < Aus > Slo, USA p < Aus > Slo, USA p <.01 Slovenia Slo > Tur p = Turkey Tur > Slo, USA p < Tur > Slo, USA p <.01 U.S.A Main effect p <.01p <.05p <.01 Culture Comparisons – IT-EA scales

Individuation in cultural context: A view from the U.S.A. Chris Bjornsen Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia, U.S.A.

Abstract Individuation in cultural context: A view from the U.S.A. C. Bjornsen Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia, U.S.A. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prediction of levels of individuation (Individuation Test of Emerging Adulthood (IT-EA), Komidar, Zupančič, Sočan, & Puklek Levpušček, 2014) from cultural-level variables in the context of an American sample of emerging adults. Using an online questionnaire, numerous individual items hypothesized to be related to individuation, including family structure, educational and financial experiences, and cultural norms were employed, along with measures of optimal parental support (Perceptions of Parents Scale, college-student version; Robbins, 1994), and a measure of Individualism and Collectivism (the Auckland Individualism-Collectivism Scale; Shulruf, Alesi, Ciochina, Faria, Hattie, Hong, Pepi, & Watkins, 2011). The sample consisted of 323 participants (74.9% female) ages years (M = 19.69, SD = 1.4). The majority of participants lived at least part time with their parents (92.6%), were at least partly financially dependent upon them or others (95.7%), and worked full or part-time (54.2%). The scales demonstrated high internal consistency in this sample, ranging from.76 to.92. Little difference was Hierarchical regression analyses using two of the IT-EA scales (connectedness, self- reliance) as dependent variables indicated the following: Emerging adults who lived with their parents and reported higher optimal parental support from mothers reported higher levels of individuation (connectedness) with regard to their mothers (73% variance explained). Emerging adults who lived with their parents, were financially dependent on parents, reported higher levels of optimal parenting from fathers, and higher levels of collectivism, reported higher levels of individuation (connectedness) with regard to their fathers (76% variance explained). Feeling connected to mothers and fathers was therefore strongly associated with receiving optimal support from parents. The relation between living situation and connectedness must be interpreted lightly, given that 91% of the sample lived at least part-time at home. Further, emerging adults who reported lower levels of optimal parenting from mothers and lower levels of collectivism reported higher levels of individuation (self-reliance) with regard to their mothers (13% variance explained). Emerging adults who reported being more financially independent of parents, lower levels of optimal parenting from fathers, and higher levels of individualism reported higher levels of individuation (self- reliance) with regard to fathers (15% variance explained). The relations between optimal parenting and self- reliance were contrary to predictions, and will be explored in subsequent analyses.

Age18-28M = SexFemale 242 (75%)Male 81 (25%) Living SituationWith parents 299 (93%)Not with parents 24 (7%) Financial statusOther supported 250 (77%)Self-supported 73 (23%) Relationship statusIn relationship 161 (50%)No relationship 162 (50%) U.S.A. Participants Recruited from University classes. Participation was voluntary and rewarded with extra credit in a course. Questionnaires were completed online at a time of one’s choosing.

Reliability coefficients – U.S. sample POPS Mother Involvement.87 POPS Mother Autonomy.90 POPS Mother Warmth.90 POPS Father Involvement.91 POPS Father Autonomy.91 POPS Father Warmth.91 PCA: Supportive Parenting Mother 53% of variance explained, 11 items PCA: Supportive Parenting Father 57% of variance explained, 9 items AICS Collectivism.76 – Advice.81 – Harmony.69 AICS Individualism.83 – Competition.86 – Uniqueness.76 – Responsibility.59 (dropped) ITEA Mother Connectedness.90 ITEA Mother Self-Reliance.82 ITEA Father Connectedness.92 ITEA Father Self-Reliance.89

ScaleSexMeanSDSig. Connectedness MotherFemale p <.05 Male Connectedness FatherFemale NS Male Self-Reliance MotherFemale NS Male Self-Reliance FatherFemale NS Male Sex comparisons - DVs

5-point likert-type scales (strongly agree/disagree) 1. Growing up I felt like I could say or do what I really believed with my friends, even when they did not agree with my actions 2. ….. I felt that my friends encouraged me to go to school and reach the highest level of education that I could 3. ….. everyone knew that both males and females were encouraged to reach for the highest level of education they desired 4. ….. everyone knew that both males and females were encouraged to try to pursue any career or occupation they desired 5. Where I live it is possible for either a man or a woman to work in any occupation he or she desires 6. ….. possible for a man or a woman to earn the same salary for the same job 7.….. accepted for anyone to believe in and practice any religion, or not practice any religion, even if that is different than their family and friends 8. My parents taught me, and expected me, to think for myself so that I could make my own decisions 9. My parents taught me, and expected me, to obey rules and not think that I could simply do things my own way 10. After I completed school, it was my decision where to live and to continue school 11. I am expected to be the primary source of care for my parents in their old age Additional “culture-level” items

Hierarchical regression Step 1 (forward): Age, Sex, Living Situation, Relationship status, Financial status Step 2 (forward): Advice, Harmony, Uniqueness, Competition Step 3 (enter): Supportive Parenting Step 4 (forward): 11 culture-level items Predicting ITEA Scores

Predictor∆R²βPredictor∆R²β MotherFather Sex * F>MAge ** Advice (C) ***Advice (C) *** Harmony (C) **Supportive Parenting F *** Uniqueness (I) * Supportive Parenting M *** It was my decision to live/continue school ** My friends encouraged me to go to school * Total R².74Total R².70 Results: Connectedness Higher connectedness to mother among females, seeking advice but not concerned with harmony; feeling unique, supported by mother, independent decisions re: school Higher connectedness to father among younger EAs, seeking advice, and feeling supported by father.

Predictor∆R²βPredictor∆R²β MotherFather Advice ***Financial status * Uniqueness **Advice *** Supportive Parenting ***Supportive Parenting *** It was my decision to live/continue school ***It was my decision to live/continue school ** Parents taught me to think for myself *Parents taught me to think for myself * Total R².17Total R².23 Results: Self-Reliance Higher self-reliance toward mother among those who did not seek advice and did not regard mother as supportive, and among those who felt unique, made their own decisions, and were taught to do so Higher self-reliance among those who did not seek advice and did not regard father as supportive, who were less financially dependent on parents, and, made their own decisions, and were taught to do so

Connectedness was related to a slightly more individual- focused background in the context of supportive parenting Self-Reliance was more strongly predicted by an even more individual-focused background, lower supportive parenting, and more independent decision-making about life goals The prediction of connectedness was much stronger than self-reliance Yet the U.S. sample had the lowest levels of Connectedness (M) & Self-Reliance (M, F) Hence, perhaps the type of individualistic context found in the U.S. does not promote individuation as well as other cultures Questions? Summary