Treatment of parental children and their families: Conceptual and technical issues

Family structural issues and chemical dependency: A review of the literature from 1985 to 1991

“…"Parentification" is the transformation of a child into a parent-like figure (see Sauber et al, 1985;Jurkovic et al, 1991). In families of alcoholics, Kaufman (1986) found the functions of the male parent will quickly move to the older son.…”

Maternal history of parentification, maternal warm responsiveness, and children's externalizing behavior.

“…In the case of parentification, which is the focus of this study, the parent turns to the child for nurturance or support and overburdens a child with the responsibility of protecting and sustaining parents, siblings, and the family system (Boszormenyi-Nagy, 1965; Boszormenyi-Nagy & Spark, 1973; Boszormenyi-Nagy & Krasner, 1986; Jurkovic, 1997). There are two types of caregiving that may be expected of children: an instrumental caregiving role requires children to assume responsibility for concrete functions in support of the family, whereas an expressive or emotional role requires the child to assume responsibility for a caregiver’s socioemotional needs (Jurkovic, Jessee, & Goglia, 1991). …”

Parentification, parental alcoholism, and academic status among young adults

“…Thus, parentification as an emotional henomenon is more complex than the simple logistical filling in of the c R ild in the absence of the parent, although this is, indeed, one manifested form. Long-term effects of parentification are considered more insidious and of greater threat to a child's well-being and healthy development and separation from the parent if parentification is demonstrated in emotional and covert ways (Jurkovic, Jessee, & Goglia, 1991).…”