Parental Alienation Syndrome

Overview

Forensic psychologist R. Gardner formulated cluster of eight symptoms which characterize the parental alienation syndrome: 1. A campaign of denigration. 2. Absurd rationalization for the deprecation. 3. Lack of ambivalence. 4. The “independent-thinker” phenomenon. 5. Reflexive support of the alienating parent in the parental conflict. 6. Absence of guilt over cruelty to and/or exploitation of the alienated parent. 7. The presence of borrowed scenarios. 8. Spread of the animosity to the friends and/or extended family of the alienated parent.

The authors in their study of 100 psychology and psychiatry expert examinations in cases of parental law suits concerning custody disagreement find frequent psychopathology in children and their parents. Mothers more frequently interfere with father visitation of children, fathers are more frequently aggressive. Explicit diagnosis of “parental alienation syndrome” is sporadic. For description of dynamic of disrupted family the normally used diagnostic categories are more suitable. The Czech translation “syndrom odcizeného rodiče” is more adequate then “syndrom zavrženého rodiče”.

Key words:
divorce, parental alienation syndrome, parental conflict, child visitation interference, parental litigation.