noun

triangulation

Drawing a third person into a conflict to influence the relationship.

The counselor identified triangulation when one parent repeatedly recruited the child into arguments.

Etymology

The geometric image becomes a three-person relationship. A third participant is brought into a conflict that originally involved two people.

More examples

Their conflict involved triangulation through a mutual friend.
She tried to end the triangulation by speaking directly to her colleague.
The discussion examined how triangulation changed the family’s relationships.

triangulation

mediation: Mediation brings a neutral third party to help resolve conflict; triangulation recruits a third party into its dynamics.
coalition: A coalition joins people in support; relational triangulation specifically involves a third person in a two-person tension.