Parental Denigration Boomerangs Versus Alienates: Parent–Child Closeness, Reciprocity, and Well‐Being Using Multiple Informants

Abstract

Objective To assess parental denigration, parents demeaning each other to or in front of their children, and whether denigration is one‐sided or reciprocal, related to distance or closeness between parents and children, and associated with measures of children's well‐being. Background The parental alienation hypothesis argues that denigration is one‐sided and distances children from the denigrated parent. Parental conflict research suggests that denigration is reciprocal and distances children from both parents, particularly the more frequently denigrating parent. Method Convenience samples totaling 994 young adults and including 157 sibling pairs completed a structured measure of denigration as well as several measures of parent–child relationship quality and individual well‐being. Results Parental denigration was measured reliably over time and between siblings. Denigration was highly reciprocal, linked to children feeling less close to both parents—particularly the one denigrating more often—and associated with a variety of measures of ill‐being. Results held both within and between siblings and in the 1% of cases of unilateral denigration. Conclusion Normatively, denigration appears to boomerang not alienate. Children consistently report feeling less close to parents who denigrate more than to parents who are the target of denigration. Implications Parents, and the professionals who work with them, must recognize the damage denigration does to denigrating parents' own relationship with their children. Findings also raise questions about alienation claims, which appear to be rare exceptions to the boomerang rule.

Long-term emotional consequences of parental alienation exposure in children of divorced parents: A systematic review

“…We conducted this systematic review to identify and synthesize information in the literature on parental alienation's emotional and psychological consequences in children of divorced parents during adulthood. Thirteen articles were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, with twelve offering parental alienation measures and another article for a specific phenomenon within the process of parental alienation-denigration campaign (Rowen & Emery, 2019). Two pieces of research used a qualitative methodology, where the experience of alienation is described, as well as perceptions of the effects of exposure to these behaviors et al, 1996) and Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Adults (CES-D; Radloff, 1977); and three for anxiety.…”

“…However, they state these results are simply due to exposure to parental alienation behaviors and not parents´ marital status, a result shared by Verrocchio et al (2019). Parental denigration is also linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms, regardless of parents' marital status (Rowen & Emery, 2019). In specific samples of subjects with divorced parents, Ben-Ami and Baker (2012) find participants exposed to these strategies have more probably to comply DSM criteria for Major Depression than those not exposed.…”

“…Controlled for parental marital status, authors indicate that the rise in state and trait anxiety scores in both genders is due to childhood exposure to PA. According to Rowen and Emery (2019), denigration does not significantly correlate with anxiety symptoms assessed through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger et al, 1970).…”

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

“…Notwithstanding, some have incorrectly asserted that the so called proponents of alienation have maintained that parental denigration is tantamount to alienation (e.g., Rowen & Emery, , p. 198 citing Fidler & Bala, ). As denigration alone by one parent was not found to lead the adult child to retrospectively report rejection of the denigrated parent, but rather the parent who was denigrating, these researchers have questioned the validity of the alienation construct and theory, the underlying mechanisms, and the existence of alienated children (Rowen & Emery, , , , ). Moreover, others have since used these findings arising out of an erroneous premise to support their concerns and skepticism about alienation theory and the underlying mechanisms (Lubit, ; Mercer, ; Milchman et al, ).…”

“…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, ).…”