Bowen Family Systems Theory and Spirituality: Exploring the Relationship Between Triangulation and Religious Questing

In order to advance the literature on the integration of Bowen family systems theory and spirituality, the relationship between triangulation and religious questing was examined. A positive relationship between differentiated functioning and religious questing was hypothesized. Contrary to the expected relationship, results indicated that greater triangulation predicted greater questing. In addition, a significant quadratic relationship between triangulation and existential questioning was found. The findings may offer a clarification of the process of differentiating a self in triangulated systems, where moderate levels of spiritual exploration and seeking may be a means of gaining space for self. It is suggested that questing behavior may help individuals achieve increased self-differentiation.