Bowen’s concept of triangulation

Bowen’s concept of triangulation

The introduction of a third member or factor into a dyad of people having interpersonal problems. For example, a woman with a newborn child who is having issues with her husband might triangulate, or shift the focus, to the third person (in this case the baby), rather than deal directly with her husband and resolve the issues. The husband on the other hand might triangulate work or a recreational activity rather than deal with the problems.