PERSONAL AUTHORITY IN THE FAMILY SYSTEM - A LINK BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY SYSTEM

Discussing the growing integration of family and individual centred perspectives those psychological constructs are of scientific interest which draw attention to the intrapersonal processes of differentiation of self in relation to one's family of origin. The construct ''personal authority in the family system'' (Donald S. Williamson 1982; 1991) can be characterized as a set of interpersonal competences which develops within the context of the family and depends on the developmental conditions concerning autonomy and connectedness in the family system as thematized in the transgenerational family therapies. These competences allow for the development of an autonomous self as well as for the development of close relationships with family members or with other persons. Personal authority can also be characterized as one of those intrapersonal constructs reflecting the processes of differentiation of the self in relation to one's family of origin. An empirical reconstruction of the family of origin's relationships of adult women points out the crucial position of personal authority in the family system linking individual and family system levels: Depending on a supporting family and educational background personal authority is of great influence on the development of individual social competences.