Adolescents who are triangulated into interparental conflict are at increased risk for psychological maladjustment. However, little is known about factors which place families at risk for involving adolescents in interparental conflict. One hundred eighty female caregivers and adolescents (57% female) participated at two time points approximately six months apart. All adolescents were in 9th or 10th grade at T1 (Mage = 14.75 years) and lived in two-caregiver families. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to evaluate family, parent, and adolescent risk factors for triangulation into interparental conflict. Parent emotion coaching was then evaluated as a potential buffer for triangulation, and adolescent gender was explored as a potential moderator of links between risk factors and triangulation. Findings revealed that low interparental warmth, parent depression, and adolescent dysregulated emotion all represented risks for triangulation. Parent emotion coaching moderated the association between low interparental warmth and triangulation, representing a buffer. Gender analyses revealed differences in this interaction for adolescent girls vs. boys. Implications for family-based intervention programs are discussed.
