Differentiation: Moderator or mediator for change in satisfaction in the early sessions of couple therapy

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether differentiation served as a moderator or a mediator for the association between initial levels of distress in couple members and change in satisfaction in the early sessions of couple therapy. Based on the call for more process research in couple and family therapy completed in naturalistic settings, the data from this study came from a larger ongoing data collection at an on-campus training clinic. Method: One hundred and seven couples completed intake questionnaires and after-session questionnaires for the first four sessions of couple therapy. Results: Using a latent profile analysis for couple differentiation scores and then using a group comparison procedure to test the associations between initial levels of depressive symptoms and stress and change in relationship satisfaction, some evidence of moderation was demonstrated. Using an Actor Partner Interdependence model with mediation, there was no evidence of mediation. Conclusions: Findings are discussed in the context of Bowen Family Systems Theory and extant process literature.