Abstract
Differentiation of self through experiences in the family-of-origin is a consistent predictor of adolescents’ psychological and social adjustment to developmental tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the level of self-differentiation through the relational and emotional experiences that adolescents live in their families and the indicators of subjective well-being. Participants were 160 Romanian adolescents living in intact families. The data were collected using a standardized protocol that included the Romanian versions of four scales and inventories: Differentiation in the Family System Scale (Anderson & Sabatelli, 1992), Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985) Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (Huebner, 1994, 2001) and Beck Depression Inventory – Fast Screen (Beck, Steer & Brown, 2000). Several predictive models were tested using multiple linear regression analysis. Multivariate analyses data provided empirical support for all working hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications for school counselors and psychotherapists who work with adolescents are discussed.

Key words: Adolescents, self-differentiation, family-of-origin, subjective well-being, correlational study