Was Bowen Correct? The Relationship Between Differentiation and Triangulation
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Was Bowen Correct? The Relationship Between Differentiation and Triangulation Kwin Willis1 · Richard B. Miller1 · Jeremy Yorgason1 · Justin Dyer1 Accepted: 30 October 2020 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract This study examined the processes of triangulation and differentiation as theorized in Bowen family systems theory. Bowen family systems theory suggests that those who are more differentiated are less likely to triangulate children. Triangulation, which is the process by which a couple involves a child in their dyadic conflict, has been found to be associated with poor outcomes for children. In addition, Bowen postulated that anxiety serves a mediating role in the relationship between differentiation and triangulation. These theoretical propositions were tested using a sample of 332 married couples studied over a 5-year period of time. Results from an actor-partner interdependence model indicated that husbands’ differentiation predicted subsequent triangulation, but the relationship was not significant among wives. Results also failed to support the mediating role of anxiety. These findings point to the need for additional research to explore gender differences and the role of anxiety in Bowen Theory. Keywords Differentiation · Triangulation · Bowen · Anxiety · Couples · Family · Partners · Marriage · Bowen theory
Introduction There is substantial empirical evidence that the triangulation of children within families is predictive of negative outcomes for children’s development (Kerig and Swanson 2010). Triangulation, from a family systems theory perspective, refers to the process by which people in a relationship bring in a third party to stabilize the tension in the relationship (Bowen 1976). Triangulation frequently involves two adults with marital conflict attempting to form an alliance with their child against their partner (Grych et al. 2004). It also includes children being involved in a conflictual parent relationship by taking sides, distracting parents, or carrying messages back and forth between parents (Minuchin 1974). Research has found that triangulated children are more likely to suffer from internalizing problems, such as social withdrawal, depression, and anxiety (Buehler and Welsh 2009; Gerard et al. 2005; Grych et al. 2004; Shelton and Harold 2008; Wang and Crane 2001). Adolescents can be particularly vulnerable due to being old enough to participate in * Kwin Willis [email protected] 1
School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
parental conflict but too young to withdraw altogether (Margolin et al. 2001; Shelton and Harold 2008). Triangulated adolescents are more likely to experience poorer quality in parent–child relationships (Amato and Afifi 2006; Fosco and Grych 2010), academic struggles (Ghazarian and Buehler 2010), substance use (Schindler et al. 2007), and other externalizing problems (Etkin et al. 2014). Most research on triangulation has been based on Minuchin’s theory of triang
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