Interparental Conflict and Parent-Child Triangulation: a Meta-Analytical Review of Children Feeling Caught Between Parents

This meta-analysis reviews the findings from 49 studies (N = 23,336) examining the association between interparental conflict and children feeling caught between parents (also referred to as parent-child triangulation). The cumulative evidence indicates a moderate, meaningful relationship between interparental conflict and children feeling caught (r = .402, 95% confidence interval: .366, .437). On average, the positive association was stronger when researchers used: (a) samples that included both intact and post-divorce family members as opposed to only intact or post-divorce families; (b) samples that included young adult children as opposed to adolescent children; (c) cross-sectional as opposed to longitudinal research designs; (d) children's reports of interparental conflict as opposed to parents' reports or observational ratings; and (e) individuals as the unit of analysis as opposed to triads. Implications for developing a communication theory of feeling caught are discussed.