Exploratory Study On Development Of Differentiation Of College Students From Single Parent Families

College students from single parent families lived a life without another parent’s accompany. Many research showed that, compared to the students with both parents living together, students of single-parent families had disadvantages on academic development, psychological happiness, self-concept and social relations. Self-differentiation refers to development process of an individual’s sense of self apart from the emotional attachment mature family system. This study aimed to explore the characteristics, development process and influencing factors of self-differentiation of college students from single parent families.The study selected 6 college students from single parent families by typical and convenient sampling. Several in-depth interviews were held with 6 students. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed, according to the analysis, the results are:1. The performance characteristics of the respondents’ self differentiation: Respondents showed extreme emotional responses, after a parent’s leaving, they behaved overly rational, but emotional repression was strong to people close, and it was difficult to control. due to lack of dependents emotional responses,the respondents alienated the dependents; it is difficult to establish emotional connection to non-dependents, and parents’ failed marriage made respondents fear emotion pay. Single-parent upbringing pressure made respondents firmly insisted on schoolwork, and they had a strong sense of responsibility. Due to lack of security, the respondents involved excessively in intimate relationships.2. The development course of self- differentiation: Support from other family members influence the later development of M2, M3, F1. F3 were more likely to fall into emotional distress for social cognitive limitations. Early development had predictive effect on later development for M1 and F2.3. The factors based on resilience theory affecting the development of self differentiation was: goal planning, affect control, positive thinking belong to individual power; help thinking and family support belong to supportive power.