Parental alienation: Targeted parent perspective

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of the study were to determine targeted parent experiences of parental alienation post-separation from the alienating parent, and to investigate common targeted parent characteristics. Method: A total of 225 targeted parents completed an online survey. Results: Targeted parents reported experiencing high severity of exposure to parental alienation tactics. Targeted parent sex and targeted child age significantly predicted variance in exposure to parental alienation. Targeted mothers experienced significantly higher severity of exposure to parental alienation than targeted fathers. Severity of exposure to parental alienation tactics significantly predicted increases in the appraisal of the parental alienation situation as threatening. Conclusions: The findings offered new insights into targeted parent appraisals of their parental alienation experience. The results signified the seriousness of the impact of exposure to parental alienation for targeted parents, and highlighted a need for empirical research into the effectiveness of interventions and support services to assist targeted parents.

Characteristics and experiences of targeted parents of parental alienation from their own perspective: A systematic literature review

“…As shown in Table , six of the studies included more males than females in the sample. One article (Finzi‐Dottan et al, ) included only females as a result of purposive sampling, and two other studies (Balmer et al, ; Poustie et al, ) had more females than males participating in the research. The studies were conducted mostly in the United States (six articles), two in Australia and one in Israel.…”

“…For all the studies, the sample included targeted parents and the date of publication ranged from 1997 to 2018. The methods used in the studies to collect the data were through surveys (Baker, ; Baker & Darnall, , ; Balmer et al, ; Harman et al, ; Poustie et al, ), in depth interviews (Finzi‐Dottan et al, ; Vassiliou & Cartwright, ) and the administration of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI‐2) and psychological assessment (Gordon et al, ).…”

“…A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and synthesise all relevant information available in the academic literature reporting targeted parents’ characteristics and experiences from their own perspective. From nine articles meeting the inclusion criteria, only four of these specifically focused on the targeted parents’ characteristics and experiences (Balmer et al, ; Finzi‐Dottan et al, ; Poustie et al, ; Vassiliou & Cartwright, ). Moreover, only three of these studies were qualitative in design, two of them had small participant numbers (Finzi‐Dottan et al, ; Vassiliou & Cartwright, ) and were predominantly females (11 females vs. 5 males).…”

“…There is conflicting evidence in the literature regarding the parenting role of targeted parents. Balmer et al () found targeted parents generally perceived themselves adequate and confident in their parental skills and their ability to discipline their children. They were motivated to be involved in their child's life, considered themselves able to set healthy boundaries with their children and encourage them to be autonomous (Balmer et al, ).…”

Concepts, Controversies And Conundrums Of “Alienation:” Lessons Learned In A Decade And Reflections On Challenges Ahead

“…During the last 10 years, and in some cases building on previous efforts and research, there has been considerable reporting of research and other publications on alienation. For example, there have been numerous publications on concepts, definitions, diagnosis, differentiation, measurement tools and the impact and experience of alienated parents and young adults who reported being alienated (e.g., Baker, , ; Baker, Burkhard, & Albertson‐Kelly, ; Harman, Leder‐Elder, & Biringen, ; Balmer, Matthewson, & Haines, ; Bernet, ; Bernet & Baker, ; Bernet, von Boch‐Galhau, Baker, & Morrison, ; Bernet, Gregory, Reay, & Rohner, ; Garber, , , ; Hands & Warshak, ; Harman, Lorandos, Biringen, & Grubb, ; Harman et al, ; Johnston & Goldman, ; Lorandos, Bernet, & Sauber, ; Polak & Saini, ; Rowen & Emery, , , , ; Rowlands, ; Whitecombe, ).…”