The Turkish Adaptation of the Triangular Relationship Inventory: The Validity and Reliability Study

Abstract

Objective: According to the family systems theory, triangulation is defined as reflecting and conveying the tension between two individuals to a third individual to reduce the existing tension, stress, and anxiety. This study was conducted to adapt the “Triangular Relationship Inventory” to Turkish and to assess psychometric properties. Method: The sample of the study included 337 individuals (234 women and 103 men) aged between 18 and 25 years. The structure validity of the inventory was evaluated with the confirmatory factor analysis and reliability was evaluated with Chronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient, test–retest method, and item analyses. Results: The result showed that the Turkish form of the Triangular Relationship Inventory showed similar psychometric properties to the original inventory. The structure which consists of the balanced, mediator, cross-generational coalition, and scapegoat subdimensions of 24 items displayed acceptable goodness-of-fit values in the Turkish sample with the 0.91 Cronbach's alpha coefficient while the reliability values of the subdimensions changed between 0.86 and 0.91. Considering the convergent validity of the inventory, there was a negative correlation between the triangular relationship and satisfaction with life and the differentiation of self, and a significant positive correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: The psychometric properties revealed in this study show that the Turkish form of the Triangular Relationship Inventory is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used to measure the triangulation levels and roles of the individuals, who are in the Turkish sample and between the ages of 18 and 25 years, within the family system.

Keywords

Bowen's family systems theory triangulation validity reliability

Introduction

One of the important concepts of Bowen's (1978) Family Systems Theory is triangulation. According to the family systems theory, triangulation is defined as the “smallest stable emotional unit” in human relationships and explained as including a third party in the system to reduce the existing tension, stress, and anxiety in cases when tension, stress, or anxiety are experienced in a relationship between two people (Bell et al., 2001; Benson et al., 1993; Bresin et al., 2017; Charles, 2001; Kerr and Bowen, 1988; Larson & Wilson, 1998; Miller et al., 2004; Peleg, 2014; Titelman, 2008). Triangulation can be seen among the members of the nuclear family as well as among the members of extended families and upper generation parents. Even people outside the family system such as friends or therapists can be included in triangulation (Bowen, 1978; Charles, 2001; Kerr and Bowen, 1988; Titelman, 2008). It is known that triangulation is a ubiquitous concept that can be seen inside or outside the family and in every field of life. For example, it is possible to see triangulation when a sibling has a problem with the other sibling and asks for the help of their parents or when an employee has a problem with another employee and mentions this to their boss (Bell et al., 2001). Triangulation has many forms.

Bell et al. (2001) describe four types of triangulation. Firstly, the (a) balanced model is the situation where the mother, father, and child are at equal distance from each other, which is also considered ideal in Bowen's Family Systems theory. In this model, parents do not include children in their relationship to reduce the tension, stress, or anxiety between them. Both parents can solve their problems appropriately and can communicate with the adolescent appropriately. (b) In the scapegoat model, parents focus on a positive or negative characteristic of the child to reduce the existing tension, stress, and anxiety between them. This situation on which they focus can be the child's skill, achievement, or disease. (c) In the mediator model, the child is more close to both parents than they are to each other, unlike the scapegoat model. (d) Lastly, in the cross-generational coalition model, the adolescent takes the side of one parent and is obligated to get a position with one of the parents.

Another important concept of Bowen's (1978) Family Systems Theory is the differentiation of self. Differentiation of self is defined as the individual's ability to find the balance between individuality and unity among family members and to distinguish one's opinions from one's emotions. The differentiation of self has four subdimensions as I position, fusion, emotional reactivity, and emotional cutoff. Individuals with a high level of differentiation of self can tolerate tension, stress, and anxiety better and can take the I position; thus, their emotional reactivity, fusion, and emotional cutoff levels are lower (Kerr and Bowen, 1988; Skowron & Friedlander, 1998; Skowron & Schmitt, 2003).

Bowen (1978) asserts that the concept of triangulation is associated with the differentiation of self, which is another important concept of family systems, as well as anxiety. There are two states of anxiety. If we react with fear against a tangible threat, this is called acute anxiety, but if we react with fear against an imaginary situation, this is called chronic anxiety. Relational defects in the family system might cause the chronic anxiety level to increase (Bresin et al., 2017; Charles, 2001). If the level of anxiety in the family system is low, there might not be triangulations but the possibility of the occurrence of triangulation increases as the level of anxiety increases (Kerr & Bowen, 1988; Titelman, 2008).

In short, the existing anxiety and differentiation of self-levels of the family members in the family system play an effective role in determining the frequency, intensity, and direction of the triangulation in the family system (Titelman, 2008). The possibility of the occurrence of triangulation increases as individuals with a low level of differentiation of self experience anxiety more. However, the fact that individuals with a high level of differentiation of self experience anxiety less, which decreases the possibility of triangulation (Bell & Bell, 1982; Bell et al., 2001; Bowen, 1978; Charles, 2001; Kerr and Bowen, 1988; Titelman, 2008).

Bowen's Theory (1978) asserts that triangulation can sometimes be beneficial or harmful for family dynamics based on its type and frequency. However, there are a few empirical studies that support this assertion and the empirical studies conducted mostly focus on the negative effects of triangulation (Bell & Bell, 1982; Bell et al., 2001; Buehler et al., 1998, 2009; Buehler & Welsh, 2009; Bray et al., 1984; Bray & Harvey, 1992; Fivaz-Depeursinge & Favez, 2006; Fosco & Grych, 2008, 2010; Grych et al., 2004; Kerig, 1995; Wang & Crane, 2001). This indicates the lack of measurement tools that will address triangulations in family systems with all dimensions.

Bell and Bell (1982) made interviews with 99 families with a daughter aged between 15 and 17 years to examine the role of the existing family dynamics and adolescence on triangulations. It was seen that female adolescents can triangulate as the scapegoat or cross-generational coalition to reduce the problems between the parents and stress. It was found that the coalition between the female adolescent and the father for their ego development is more harmful than the one they establish with the mother and that other siblings avoid this situation when the female adolescent establish a coalition with the mother or father. The results of the study indicated that even if family members make these attempts to reduce stress in marriage or protect and maintain the family institution, these triangulations have negative effects on the ego development of female adolescents.

Bell et al. (2001) conducted their study with 99 American and 60 Japanese families where parents were married and had two or more children aged between 11 and 19 years. First, the effects of marital system dynamics of the parents on triangulation were tested in this study. They asked the question that whether the children of parents who deny the disputes between them or the children of parents who accept them have a higher possibility of triangulation with parents. It was found that the children of parents who deny the conflicts and disputes between them have a higher possibility of triangulation in scapegoat, coalition, or mediator roles. Additionally, another remarkable finding is that the possibility of male children to be the scapegoat is higher than female children while the possibility of female children to be the mediator or coalition partner is higher than male children. This study also evaluated the personal development levels of adolescents who triangulate and who did not triangulate with their parents. It was found that triangulation has a significant effect on the ego development of female children in both cultures.

Children first learn to express their emotions, evaluate personal differences, and manage disputes in the family system (Bell & Bell, 1982). Buehler et al. (2009) conducted a longitudinal study based on the hypothesis that the socialization process, which is first learned and experienced within the family, might have an effect on peer relationships. They conducted the study with the participation of 416 families with both parents and tested whether the perceptions of adolescents who triangulated due to the conflict in their parents' marriages, about peer relationships got negatively affected. A positive correlation was found between triangulation and peer rejection of adolescents while there was a negative correlation between triangulation and perceived peer support. The study showed that triangulation due to the marital conflicts of parents is a risk factor for the developments and perceived peer support of adolescents. Moreover, Wang and Crane (2001) stated that childhood depression is associated with the degree of triangulation of the child with parents.

The fact that family is a living system and there are many forms of triangulation makes it difficult to measure. Although triangulation is an important concept of the family systems theory, there is little interest in the subject for conceptual and psychometric reasons.

The Triangular Relationship Inventory: The Triangular Relationship Inventory (TRI), which was aimed to be adapted to Turkish and tested for validity and reliability in this study, was developed by Bresin et al. (2017). The validity of the original scale was tested in three different studies. In the first study, a pool of 127 items was formed to measure the triangulation of the adolescent with the primary parent figure. These items were divided as 30–34 items per subdimension as 30 in the balanced triangle, 32 in the mediator, 30 in the cross-generational coalition, and 35 in the scapegoat subdimension. Then, these items were revised by experts and tested with 405 participants aged between 18 and 23 years. The number of items was dropped to 24 with the factor analysis, and it was stated that the four-factor structure explained 62% of the variance. The Crobach's alpha was 0.91 and supported the usability of the total score on TRI.

The validity and reliability of the inventory were tested with a sample of 275 individuals aged between 18 and 23 years in the second study. The study used the Differentiation of Self-Inventory-Short Form (DSI-SF) for differentiation, the intergenerational triangulation (INTRI) for triangulation, the State–Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (STICSA) for anxiety, and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al., 1985) to test the discriminant validity of the TRI. Psychological symptoms were measured with the short form of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. A significant positive correlation was found between the TRI and the STICSA and HSCL-21. The item factor loads changed between 0.32 and 0.69, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the subdimensions were 0.69 for balanced, 0.96 for mediator, 0.87 for cross-generational coalition, and 0.89 for scapegoat. The factor coefficients 0.76 in balanced, 0.88 in mediation, and 0.47 in cross-generational coalition, and were similar to the findings in the first study while the factor coefficient of scapegoat, which was 0.78, was a more powerful result than the first study. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.95 for the total score and was more powerful than the first study.

The test–retest reliability of the TRI scores were evaluated in the third study. Demographic questions and TRI were implemented to a sample of 82 individuals aged between 18 and 33 years, two times with 4-week intervals. The Cronbach's alpha reliability of the total scale score was found as 0.94 in the first test and as 0.95 in the retest. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients in the first test were found as 0.95 in balanced, 0.91 for the mediator, 0.86 for the cross-generational coalition, and 0.89 for scapegoat while the retest Cronbach's alpha coefficients were found as 0.96 for balanced, 0.94 for the mediator, 0.87 for the cross-generational coalition, and 0.93 for the scapegoat. No significant difference was found between the first and second implementations in terms of means, and the test–retest reliability of the TRI changed between 0.66 and 0.84. The following results were obtained for subdimensions in the test–retest reliability; 0.80 for balanced, 0.63 for mediator, 0.58 for cross-generational coalition, and 0.79 for scapegoat.

The Turkish adaptation of the inventory was first made by Kurşuncu and Baştemur (2020). Its psychometric properties were tested with 387 university students. The researchers stated that primary and secondary factor analyses presented sufficient goodness-of-fit values for the four-factor structure and that the scapegoat subdimension did not attribute significance to the model in the second-level confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). It was also stated that more studies in the Turkish culture are needed to validate the four-factor structure of the inventory due to the exclusion of the scapegoat subdimension from the model.

This study was conducted to adapt the TRI to Turkish sample and to test its validity and reliability. Thus, it is considered that the concept of triangulation can be addressed with all dimensions with this inventory which will be brought to the Turkish literature, and it will be instructive for clinicians and academics who study psychiatry, psychology, family, and couples' therapy.

Method

Participants

The sample of the study included 337 individuals (234 women [69.4%] and 103 men [30.6%] ) aged between 18 and 25 years who were selected with the convenient sampling method via Google forms. The mean age of the participants was 22.96 years (SD = 2.71). Of the participants, 7.4% were an only child, 41.8% were two siblings including themselves, and 50.7% had three or more siblings. Of the participants, 45.4% were the first child according to birth order, 34.1% were the second child, 10.4% were the third child, and 10.1% had the birth order between four and 10.

Data Collection Tools

“The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS),” “Differentiation of Self Inventory-Short Form (DSI-SF),” and the “Depression, Anxiety, Stress-21 Scale (DASS-21)” were used to test the convergent validity other than the TRI, which was adapted to Turkish sample in this study.

The Personal Information Form. This form was prepared by the researcher and includes questions to obtain demographic information of the participants and detect gender, age, number of siblings and birth orders.

The Satisfaction With Life Scale. The SWLS was developed by Diener et al. (1985) and was adapted to Turkish by Dağlı and Baysal (2016). The scale has five items in a single-factor structure. Its Chronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient is 0.88 and test–retest reliability is 0.97.

The Differentiation of Self-inventory-Short Form. The DFI-SF was developed by Drake et al. (2015) to make short-term measurements about the differentiation of self and is based on the differentiation of self inventory-revised (DSI-R) with 46 items. The scale has 20 items and four subdimensions as “I position,” “Emotional Reactivity,” “Fusion,” and “Emotional Cutoff.” The scale was adapted to Turkish by Sarıkaya et al. (2018). The goodness-of-fit values were found at the acceptable level as a result of the CFA and the four-factor structure of the DSI-SF was validated. The Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient was found to be 0.82.

The Depression, Anxiety, Stress-21 Scale (DASS-21): The Depression Anxiety Stress-42 Scale (DASS-42) developed by Lovibond and Lovibond (1995) was limited to 21 items by Henry and Crawford (2005). The DASS-21 was adapted to Turkish sample by Yılmaz et al. (2017), and they also conducted the validity and reliability studies. The scale measures the depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms within the last week and includes 21 items. The factor loads of the scale change between 0.41 and 0.81. The reliability coefficients of the scale change between 0.755 and 0.822.

Procedure

For the adaptation of the TRI, the original inventory was translated to Turkish by three experts who had the command of the language and the science of psychology. The Turkish form was prepared after the researcher evaluated the translated scale, and the back-translation of the Turkish form was also performed by three different experts. The finalized inventory was implemented to a small sample of 15 people to evaluate whether there is any statement that cannot be clearly understood in terms of the language used and then, necessary modifications were made, and the data collection process was started. The inventory was implemented to voluntary participants via the internet using applications such as e-mail, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The implementation form included the informed consent form in the beginning. The participants were asked to write their email address if they want to participate in the test–retest implementation in the second stage in the informed consent form. Voluntary participants were sent the inventory again 2 weeks after the implementation and they were asked to answer the inventory.

Data Analysis

The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS-22 and AMOS-22 programs. The structure and convergent validity were evaluated to test the validity for the examination of the psychometric properties of the inventory. The structure validity of the inventory was evaluated with the CFA and its reliability was evaluated with Chronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient, test–retest method, and item analyses.

Results

Validity

Structure Validity

CFA was performed to test the structure validity of the TRI. According to the primary results obtained from the CFA, the goodness-of-fit indexes were found as χ² (246, N = 337) = 976.674, χ²/SD = 3.98; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.86; incremental fit index (IFI) = 0.87; Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.85; standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.083; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.094, and the critical value of the indexes was <0.90, and the RMSEA was >0.08. Additionally, it was found that the modification indexes between the items numbered 2 and 3 of the balanced subdimension, and items numbered 13 and 14 of the cross-generational coalition had a high level of correlation. Thus, these items were modified and the CFA was repeated. The results of the repeated CFI are presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results of the triangular relationship inventory.

As seen in Figure 1, the standardized factor loads changed between 0.62 and 0.91 in the balanced subdimension, between 0.64 and 0.88 in the mediator subdimension, between 0.64 and 0.80 in the cross-sectional coalition, and between 0.37 and 0.90 in the scapegoat subdimension, and all factor loads were found significant.

The fit indexes of the scale were found as χ² (244, N = 337) = 728.688, χ²/SD = 2.99; TLI = 0.90; CFI = 0.91; IFI = 0.91; SRMR = 0.063; and RMSEA = 0.077. The results related to whether the results of the CFI of the TRI are in the acceptable value ranges are presented in Table 1.

Table 1.

The Confirmatory Factor Analysis Results of the Triangular Relationship Inventory.

Fit index	Calculated value	Acceptable value	Result
χ²/SD	2.99	χ²/SD ≤ 5.00	Accepted
TLI	0.90	TLI ≥ 0.90	Accepted
CFI	0.91	CFI ≥ 0.90	Accepted
IFI	0.91	IFI ≥ 0.90	Accepted
RMSEA	0.077	RMSEA ≤ 0.08	Accepted

Note. TLI = Tucker–Lewis index; CFI = comparative fit index; IFI = incremental fit index; RMSEA = root mean square error of approximation.

Fit Validity

The correlations between the SWLS, DSI-SF, and DASS-21 were examined to test the convergent validity of the TRI. In this regard, the total scores on the TRI, SWLS, DSI-SF, and the correlations with the depression, anxiety, and stress subdimensions of the DASS-21 were included in the analysis. The results about the convergent validity are presented in Table 2.

Table 2.

The Convergent Validity Results of the TRI.

Variable	SWLS	DSI-SF	Depression	Anxiety	Stress
TRI	−0.122*	−0.186*	0.194**	0.313**	0.250**

Note. DSI-SF = Differentiation of Self Inventory-Short Form; SWLS = Satisfaction With Life Scale; TRI = Triangular Relationship Inventory.

*p < .001, **p < .01.

As seen in Table 2, there was a significant negative correlation between the TRI and the SWLS (r = −.122, p < .001), and a significant negative correlation with the total score of the DSI (r = −.186, p < .001). The correlation with the depression (r = .194, p < .01), anxiety (r = .313, p < .01), and stress (r = .250, p < .01) subdimensions of the DASS-21 was positive. Considering all these results, it can be stated that the TRI ensured convergent validity.

Reliability

The Cronbach's alpha and test–retest reliability coefficients were calculated and the item analysis was performed to determine the test reliability of the TRI. The test–retest sample included 39 participants who noted their e-mail addresses to participate in the test again at the beginning of the study. The demographic form and the inventory were sent to the participants again after 2 weeks and they were made to implement it. The results about the Cronbach's alpha and test–retest test reliability coefficients are presented in Table 3. Additionally, Table 3 presents the corrected item–total correlations of the items in the TRI.

Table 3.

The Reliability Results of the Triangular Relationship Inventory.

Dimension	Item No	r_jx	M	SD	Α	Test–retest
Balanced	1	0.583	2.87	1.398	0.913	0.91
	2	0.824	2.68	1.487
	3	0.805	2.64	1.371
	4	0.765	2.61	1.422
	5	0.707	2.72	1.466
	6	0.856	2.76	1.463
Mediator	7	0.700	2.79	1.418	0.90	0.85
	8	0.616	2.11	1.304
	9	0.681	1.97	1.282
	10	0.826	2.59	1.397
	11	0.743	2.70	1.394
	12	0.800	2.17	1.347
Cross-generational coalition	13	0.715	2.06	1.355	0.86	0.82
	14	0.679	2.06	1.369
	15	0.733	2.02	1.232
	16	0.614	2.66	1.443
	17	0.622	1.96	1.234
	18	0.593	2.85	1.433
Scapegoat	19	0.659	3.11	1.266	0.87	0.68
	20	0.711	2.64	1.249
	21	0.333	2.00	1.231
	22	0.790	2.72	1.318
	23	0.741	2.95	1.330
	24	0.827	2.80	1.308
INTRI total					0.91	0.89

As can be understood from Table 3, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total score of the TRI was calculated as 0.91. Considering the subdimensions, the Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the balanced (α = 0.913), mediator (α = 0.90), cross-generational coalition (α = 0.86), and scapegoat (α = 0.87) subdimensions were found at the acceptable level. Considering the test–retest reliability, the total score correlation coefficient of the inventory was calculated as 0.89 while the coefficients were 0.91 for the balanced subdimension, 0.85 for the mediator subdimension, 0.82 for the cross-generational subdimension, and 0.68 for the scapegoat subdimension.

Additionally, item analysis was made to determine the scale representation power of the items. The item–total correlation values were found changing between 0.33 and 0.85 as a result of the item analysis. Considering that items with a value of and >0.30 were accepted sufficient for representation in the interpretation of the item–total correlation (Büyüköztürk, 2004; Kline, 2013), the item–total correlation values obtained in this study were acceptable.

Discussion

This study was conducted to adapt the “Triangular Relationship Inventory,” which aims to measure the triangulation evaluating the participation of the individuals in parent figures' conflicts, disputes, and relationships, and to test its validity and reliability. Therefore, the validity of the inventory was demonstrated by calculating the CFA and convergent validity values while its reliability was demonstrated by calculating the Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient and item analyses. The result showed that the Turkish form of the TRI showed similar psychometric properties to the original inventory. The structure which consists of the balanced, mediator, cross-generational coalition, and scapegoat subdimensions of 24 items displayed acceptable goodness-of-fit values in the Turkish sample. No adaptation studies of the inventory to another language and culture were found after the development of the inventory by Bresin et al. (2017). The study that tested the inventory on Turkish university students had controversial results regarding the four-dimensional model. The study validated three dimensions of the inventory but showed that the scapegoat subdimension cannot be included in the model as a result of the factor analyses. However, this study that the four-dimensional structure is valid as in the original study. The standardized factor loads changed between 0.62 and 0.91 in the balanced subdimension, between 0.64 and 0.88 in the mediator subdimension, between 0.64 and 0.80 in the cross-sectional coalition, and between 0.37 and 0.90 in the scapegoat subdimension in this study. It was also found that all factor loads of the inventory items were significant as in the original study.

Considering the convergent validity of the inventory, there was a negative correlation between the triangular relationship and satisfaction with life and the differentiation of self, and a significant positive correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress. There are no empirical studies that used the inventory since 2017, the year it was developed. However, the convergent validity results were similar to the results in the inventory development study. Bresin et al. (2017) showed that triangulation and anxiety and psychological symptoms are positively correlated and that triangulation increases as anxiety increases and that psychological symptoms increase as the triangulation increases. Although a significant correlation was expected with the satisfaction with life, which was measured for discriminant validity, the results indicated no significant correlation. However, the expected assumption was supported in this study, that is the Turkish form was created, and the satisfaction with life decreased as the triangulation increased. In line with the results of this study, it was found that differentiation of self decreased as triangulation increased in the original study.

Considering the reliability values of the TRI, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total score on the INTRI-TR was 0.91 while the reliability values of the subdimensions changed between 0.86 and 0.91. The item–total correlation values of the items and the test–retest results also indicated that the inventory is reliable. Bresin et al. (2017) stated that the total score reliability of the inventory was 0.93 and the Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the subdimensions changed between 0.87 and 0.96. Similarly, the reliability coefficients of the inventory were found to change between 0.82 and 0.88 in the Turkish sample. It can be mentioned that the reliability values of the Turkish form are more close to the original study.

Conclusion, Limitations, and Future Directions

The psychometric properties revealed in this study show that the Turkish form of the TRI is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used to measure the triangulation levels and roles of the individuals, who are in the Turkish sample and between the ages of 18 and 25 years, within the family system. One of the limitations of this study is that the validity and reliability of the inventory were tested for the 18–25 years age range. It will be useful to test the psychometric properties of the inventory in a sample of individuals under the age of 18 years and adults aged older than 25 years in future studies. Another limitation can be that 31% of the sample consisted of male participants. Therefore, it will be useful to reevaluate the psychometric properties of the inventory in a sample of more men in Turkish culture. As the triangulation becomes measurable, the determinants of triangulation and the mental health dynamics it affects can be examined. The fact that the concept of triangulation can be studied in Turkey will contribute to the existing literature in terms of the universality of Bowen's Family Systems Theory. Triangulation is one of the subjects of psychotherapy. If specialists who study family and couples' relationships can recognize triangulation and make the individuals in the system face the tension between them and work on it in the therapy session, the triangulation tendency and its effects on mental health and system members will reduce.

Footnotes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The author received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical Approval

This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University.

Consent of Participant

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

ORCID iD

Çiğdem Yavuz Güler

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