Family communication patterns and spiritual growth among seminarians: A study of the impact of family dynamics on seminary formation

https://doi.org/10.70228/PFREE2024025CAS

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ABSTRACT

This study explores how family communication patterns impact the seminarians' awareness and relationship with God. This was done through a survey using the standardized Revised Family Communication Pattern (RFCP) questionnaire that assesses family communication styles, such as conversation and conformity orientation, and Revised Spiritual Assessment Inventory (RSAI) that evaluates awareness of God and various qualities of relationship with God. Participants were 116 diocesan seminarians in seminaries within Negros Occidental, aged 18-37, primarily Generation Z individuals in the discipleship stage of formation. Some came from nuclear families, with parents having moderate to high levels of church involvement. The study is cross-sectional. RSAI scales serve as main variables, while the two dimensions of RFCP, along with age, stage in formation, parents' church involvement, family structure, and ordinal position in the family, were treated as independent variables. Fisher's Exact Test and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation are used. Data shows that Age and Stage in the Seminary Formation significantly relate to Realistic Acceptance of God, Ordinal Position and Conformity Orientation significantly relate to Grandiosity in Relationship to God, Conversation Orientation relates to Awareness of God, Conformity Orientation relates to Instability in Relationship with God, and Disappointment in Relationship with God. The results indicate a favorable awareness of God; however, they may turn to poor choices when their faith is tested. The family's communication style and position as a middle child may have caused unhealthy conflict. The cause-and-effect relationship between variables and conflict resolution ability will give a clearer understanding of the findings.

Keywords: family dynamics, family communication styles, spiritual growth, seminary training