This study examined separation-individuation development issues for young adult women, from the perspective of object-relations theory. Its purpose was to explore a woman's perception of her relationship with mother as it is affected by age and request for psychotherapy as well as the relationship between mother-daughter bond and personality characteristics. Ninety-six women from 17 to 40 years of age volunteered to participate. They were grouped into two age ranges. Life Stage 1 women were 17-22 years of age, while Life Stage 2 women ranged from 23-40. Each woman completed a demographic data questionniare, the Identity vis-a-vis Mother Questionnaire (IVM-20) and the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire (CAQ). The IVM-20 contains four scales, each designed to measure a unique mother-daughter relationship: Indivdiuated, Symbiosis, Practicing, and Distancing. Individuated showed no differences as a function of age or psychotherapy, but it was correlated with emotional stability, assertiveness and self-assurance. The Practicing scale was higher for women seeking psychotherapy and it was correlated with emotional instability, apprehension and tension. Symbiosis was also related to seeking psychotherapy and was correlated with submission, self-reliance and apprehension. Distancing was high in the younger women and was correlated with assertiveness, enthusiasm, self-assurance and group dependence. The findings indicate that a woman's perception of her identity vis-a-vis mother relates to personality variables and acknowledgement of emotional distress. (Author)