Developmental psychology and the scientific status of parental alienation.

Abstract

Theory and research have described developmental processes leading to damaged parent-child relationships, such as those that occur during a divorce. However, scholars dispute the scientific status of the literature on children who form unhealthy alliances with one parent against the other-termed parental alienation (PA). This comprehensive literature review tests competing descriptions of the PA literature. Accessing four electronic databases, we identified 213 documents with empirical data on PA published in 10 languages through December 2020. The results confirmed that the current state of PA scholarship meets three criteria of a maturing field of scientific inquiry: an expanding literature, a shift toward quantitative studies, and a growing body of research that tests theory-generated hypotheses. Nearly 40% of the PA literature has been published since 2016, establishing that PA research has moved beyond an early stage of scientific development and has produced a scientifically trustworthy knowledge base. This literature review documents the value of multiple research methodologies to this knowledge base. In addition, the growing body of research described in this review enhances our understanding of the association between interparental conflict and the breakdown of parent-child relationships in families where conflict differentially affects children's relationship with and behavior toward each parent.

The use of parental alienation constructs by family justice system professionals: A survey of belief systems and practice implications

“…They also showed professional interest in treatment and intervention options. Another current review of 213 empirical studies (Harman et al, 2022) indicates that the PA construct has generated research in 10 languages, evidencing a movement toward quantitative studies and hypothesis testing. Such movement indicates the continued clinical interest in the field and empirical evolution toward a continuously expanding, scientifically trustworthy knowledge base.…”

Parent‐child contact problems: Family violence and parental alienating behaviors either/or, neither/nor, both/and, one in the same?

“…The confiscation inherent in definitions of PA juxtaposed against IPV is augmented by the fact that "concept creep" 1 has led to an ever-expanding list of behaviors and attitudes that are included in the definition of PA. As Harman et al (2022) note, the research literature on PA appears to be less substantial than the volumes of related studies that capture the same phenomena using different terminologies (p. 1890). Allegations of PA are now used to explain false allegations of child abuse or neglect against a rejected parent; to counter evidence of IPV and/or child maltreatment; to label efforts by an abusive ex-partner; to maintain coercive control.…”

Pilot Study of Parental Alienation Items in the Adverse Childhood Events Scale

“…[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] Manipulating a child to reject a parent is not easily accomplished, as children who are severely maltreated by a parent often engage in attachment-enhancing rather than destructive behaviors 51,52 To weaponize a child against a parent, the coercively controlling parent engages in parental alienating behaviors (PABs) designed to make the child believe their rejected parent never loved them, abandoned them, and/or is un t or unsafe. 53 If the child believes and internalizes these falsehoods, they align with the alienating parent, reject their other parent for reasons that are unjusti ed, exaggerated, or false, and become "alienated" from the rejected parent. 54,55 There are over 50 studies published through 2020 that examined the PABs 56 including such behaviors as gaslighting, blocking communication, gatekeeping, denigration among others.…”

“…54,55 There are over 50 studies published through 2020 that examined the PABs 56 including such behaviors as gaslighting, blocking communication, gatekeeping, denigration among others. 53 PABs are a form of family violence because they are abusive for both children and the targeted parent. 37,57 Parental Alienation As An Adverse Childhood Experience Alienated children often experience or witness other forms of abuse in their families, such as intimate partner violence, [58][59][60][61] and child physical and sexual abuse the alienating parent.…”

“…[62][63][64][65] Exposure to PABs is associated with low self-esteem, substance abuse disorders, insecure attachment, anxiety, and depression [66][67][68][69][70][71][72] Alienated children are likely to experience internalizing and externalizing problems, 73 and adults who experienced PA as children describe experiencing PTSD, attention problems, disassociation, eating disorders and panic attacks. 74 Despite considerable research on the causes and negative consequences of PA, 53 PA has not been scienti cally established as an ACE. The current study's purpose is to develop and test potential items for inclusion in the ACEs questionnaire that can be used to screen individuals who have or were alienated from a agree to (1) Very strongly disagree.…”