ABSTRACT This study uses network analysis to examine how self‐differentiation sub‐factors relate to marital satisfaction among 400 married adults in South Korea, a society undergoing rapid cultural transition. A network model was estimated to map the relationships between differentiation components (e.g., Emotional Reactivity, I‐Position, Fusion) and marital satisfaction items. The analysis identified Emotional Reactivity and Emotional Fusion as the most central drivers of marital dissatisfaction. In contrast, a rigid “I‐Position” (self‐assertion) was negatively associated with marital satisfaction, suggesting its role is complex within a cultural context that prioritizes relational harmony. This may reflect “reactive individualism” against traditional suppression. The findings highlight a dynamic interplay between emotional regulation and culturally shaped self‐expression, demonstrating network analysis's utility for developing targeted, culturally sensitive clinical interventions that promote a balanced sense of self.
Kim et al. (Thu,) studied this question.