Exploring the relationship among marital satisfaction, level of faith development, and differentiation of self

The purpose of this study was to look at the relationship among marital satisfaction, level of faith development, and differentiation of self. The study looks at marriages using Bowen family systems theory and Fowler's faith development theory. This quantitative study collected data through a convenient, snowball method. The sample consisted of 124 individuals married from 1 to 59 years. Four assessment inventories and a demographic questionnaire were used to collect data. Marital satisfaction was assessed using the Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised; level of differentiation was assessed using Skowron's Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised and Bray's Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire; level of faith development was assessed using Leak's Faith Development Scale. Multiple regression and descriptive statistics were used to examine the data. Ten hypotheses were tested, and additional findings were noted and discussed. Findings revealed that differentiation of self is a greater predictor of marital satisfaction, and that level of faith development has little relationship with marital satisfaction.

Author dc:creator

• Bartee, Russell F.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jennings, Glen

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Brock, Linda J.
• Marshall, David, Ph. D.

• Philosophy, religion and theology
• Psychology
• Bowen theory
• Differentiation of self
• Faith development
• Marital satisfaction
• Spirituality

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11274/10105

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/10105