Using a social constructionist perspective, this thesis explores the development of the concepts of “parental alienation syndrome” and “false allegations” in the context of custody and access, as ‘social problems’. Following Joel Best’s framework for critically analysing social problems, it examines the life course of these concepts through an historical account of Canada’s divorce arena and recent changes to custody and access law. It analyzes the reasoning and motives of the major claimsmakers: the Fathers’ Right Movement, medical experts, the legal arena and the counter-claims of Feminist activists. It examines the role of the supervised access facilitator in the construction of the concepts as ‘social problems’. The theories of psychiatrist Richard Gardner are examined in particular, due to their pivotal role in the advancement of the claimsmakers’ goals. Finally, empirical studies are reviewed and analyzed, demonstrating how the concepts of “parental alienation syndrome” and “false allegations” have mutated and permeated the domain of divorce and access in Western society. / Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2008-09-04 11:36:28.395

Freiburg i. Br., Univ., Dipl.arbeit, 2007.

Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a childhood disorder that arises almost exclusively in child custody disputes. Its primary manifestation is the unjustified rejection of a once-loved parent by a child due to a combination of the 'programming' parent's alienating techniques and the child's own contributions to the vilification of the targeted parent. Parental Alienation (PA) is differentiated from PAS as in the case of the former the child's rejection is justified and may be explained either by normal developmental behaviours or by child abuse that involves no form of programming. The purpose of this study is to develop a preliminary interview protocol to aid in the detection of PAS, with a special emphasis on differentiating false allegations of abuse, which usually accompany severe PAS, from true abuse. The aim of the study is to develop a protocol to enhance diagnostic clarity and facilitate appropriate custody-related recommendations. The interview protocol is based on an extensive thematic literature analysis in conjunction with existing guidelines for conducting a child custody and visitation interview. The interview protocol comprises a child and parent section, which both have their own reference tables with supporting corresponding information. The protocol 's administration instructions are outlined in a covering information page. Rigour was added to the protocol by having it assessed for clarity and accessibility by four medico-legal professionals with custody-related experience, and their opinions regarding the protocol's structure, sections, questions and reference tables were taken into consideration in the revision of the protocol. / KMBT_363 / Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in

For over 20 years, the phenomenon of parental alienation and its related characteristics has been described in literature. Various clinicians independently researched and described the pathological alignment of a child within the context of divorce. In the 1980’s Richard Gardner coined this “Parental alienation syndrome” (PAS). According to Gardner PAS is characterised by a child’s profound preoccupation with criticism against a parent. This criticism is overstated and ungrounded, and it is caused by both conscious and unconscious behaviour by the alienating parent, which influences the child negatively against the alienated parent. In essence, PAS is the subjective contamination of the child’s understanding and beliefs about his/her environment. The alienating parent gives the impression that the targeted parent is unworthy, dangerous, unloving and deserving of the child’s rejection. This is done by a series of alienation strategies like bad-mouthing, blaming, limiting contact and belittling. The alienated child, as a result responds with unjustified expressions of hate and discontent towards the targeted parent. The experience of divorce can be very challenging to children. Research about the relationship between divorce and child adjustment holds that a child’s exposure to inter parental conflict and the quality of the parent-child relationship are the two major predictors of children’s adjustment during divorce. Research suggests that the negative effects of PAS may include guilt, self-hatred, distortion of reality testing, and general emotional and psychological problems. The aim of this study was to provide an in-depth exploration and description of how PAS is experienced, and the possible effect it has on children from the perspective of young adults who was possible exposed to PAS as children. This was done by exploring their memories and their recalled experiences of their parents’ divorce and the possible effect on their current lives. In this study a collective exploratory/descriptive case study design was used. Nine voluntary participants, between 18 and 28 years of age, were chosen for this study by means of purposeful sampling strategies. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews that were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed data were analysed by means of thematic analysis from which themes and sub-themes were derived. Two main themes with sub-themes were identified. It was found that some of the parental behaviour evident in PAS cases may fall under specific subtypes of psychological maltreatment and leave children feeling angry, worthless, flawed, unloved, unwanted, incompetent and sceptical about trusting other individuals. It was found that parents who engage in alienation strategies are likely to discourage autonomous behaviour and lack nurturance and emotional responsiveness towards their children’s needs. As result children exposed to PAS learn parental love and acceptance is conditional and is based needs fulfilment of the alienating parent. These expectations are brought forward from the early relationship into adulthood and influences individual’s expectations, behaviour, and beliefs about relationships across the lifespan. The results indicate that the lack parental support, encouragement, and responsiveness may negatively influence the self-esteem, autonomy, competence, and relatedness of individuals exposed to PAS. They reported difficulties with trust, intimacy and social skills and depression as adults. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

For over 20 years, the phenomenon of parental alienation and its related characteristics has been described in literature. Various clinicians independently researched and described the pathological alignment of a child within the context of divorce. In the 1980’s Richard Gardner coined this “Parental alienation syndrome” (PAS). According to Gardner PAS is characterised by a child’s profound preoccupation with criticism against a parent. This criticism is overstated and ungrounded, and it is caused by both conscious and unconscious behaviour by the alienating parent, which influences the child negatively against the alienated parent. In essence, PAS is the subjective contamination of the child’s understanding and beliefs about his/her environment. The alienating parent gives the impression that the targeted parent is unworthy, dangerous, unloving and deserving of the child’s rejection. This is done by a series of alienation strategies like bad-mouthing, blaming, limiting contact and belittling. The alienated child, as a result responds with unjustified expressions of hate and discontent towards the targeted parent. The experience of divorce can be very challenging to children. Research about the relationship between divorce and child adjustment holds that a child’s exposure to inter parental conflict and the quality of the parent-child relationship are the two major predictors of children’s adjustment during divorce. Research suggests that the negative effects of PAS may include guilt, self-hatred, distortion of reality testing, and general emotional and psychological problems. The aim of this study was to provide an in-depth exploration and description of how PAS is experienced, and the possible effect it has on children from the perspective of young adults who was possible exposed to PAS as children. This was done by exploring their memories and their recalled experiences of their parents’ divorce and the possible effect on their current lives. In this study a collective exploratory/descriptive case study design was used. Nine voluntary participants, between 18 and 28 years of age, were chosen for this study by means of purposeful sampling strategies. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews that were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed data were analysed by means of thematic analysis from which themes and sub-themes were derived. Two main themes with sub-themes were identified. It was found that some of the parental behaviour evident in PAS cases may fall under specific subtypes of psychological maltreatment and leave children feeling angry, worthless, flawed, unloved, unwanted, incompetent and sceptical about trusting other individuals. It was found that parents who engage in alienation strategies are likely to discourage autonomous behaviour and lack nurturance and emotional responsiveness towards their children’s needs. As result children exposed to PAS learn parental love and acceptance is conditional and is based needs fulfilment of the alienating parent. These expectations are brought forward from the early relationship into adulthood and influences individual’s expectations, behaviour, and beliefs about relationships across the lifespan. The results indicate that the lack parental support, encouragement, and responsiveness may negatively influence the self-esteem, autonomy, competence, and relatedness of individuals exposed to PAS. They reported difficulties with trust, intimacy and social skills and depression as adults. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Este trabalho pretende oferecer uma análise crítica da Síndrome de Alienação Parental (SAP). Primeiramente visa apresentar o conceito de SAP, o modelo diagnóstico e interventivo tal como propostos por Richard Alan Gardner, psiquiatra forense americano. A análise de sua obra baseiase em uma leitura psicanalítica que permite ampliar a explicação da ocorrência da síndrome para além de uma descrição fenomenológica e objetiva tal como formalizada pelo seu criador. A definição clínica permite hipotetizar os termos genético-estruturais da SAP segundo um recorte psicanalítico a partir de Freud e Lacan. Parte-se da constituição do sujeito para explicar que a eficácia da SAP é possível a partir de um reforçamento da alienação fundamental induzido por um cuidador em uma criança que está na sua dependência. Realiza-se uma formalização mais precisa da síndrome a partir da proposição da SAP como uma montagem particular de transferência que se estabelece entre a criança e um cuidador, que desfaz ou minimiza os laços com o outro genitor. O fenômeno da transferência é decomposto em seus elementos formativos, a saber, identificação, sugestão, fantasia e idealização, de forma a permitir explicar a SAP como uma conjugação específica desses componentes que resulta na associação de uma posição subjetiva da criança à posição do genitor programador. Desta leitura são extraídas consequências à práxis no campo Psicojurídico, as quais permitem discutir algumas questões relativas ao tratamento e à sua regulação no interior do dispositivo jurídico. Embora a psicanálise critique modelos psicopatológicos e nosográficos, algumas linhas mestras iluminadas na SAP de Gardner trazem contribuições inovadoras frente aos sintomas da família moderna, permitindo resgatar a eficácia de um sistema disciplinar jurídico ligado ao processo civilizatório com efeitos terapêuticos e viabilizando a configuração familiar das duas linhagens como núcleo referente e formador da criança / The aim of this study is to offer a critical analysis of the Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS). First it intends to introduce the concept of PAS, the diagnostic and interventional model as proposed by Richard Alan Gardner, American forensic psychiatrist. The analysis of his work relies on a psychoanalytic reading that allows to extend the explanation of the occurrence of the syndrome in addition to a phenomenological and objective description as formalized by its creator. The clinical definition makes possible to hypothesize genetic-structural terms of PAS through a psychoanalytic view from Freud and Lacan. It starts with the constitution of the subject to explain that the effectiveness of PAS is possible from a reinforcement of the fundamental alienation stimulated by a caregiver in a child who is in their dependence. It is carried out a more precise formalization of the syndrome from the proposition of the PAS as a particular transference assembly that is established between the child and a caregiver that undoes or minimizes the ties with the other parent. The phenomenon of transference is decomposed into its formative elements, namely, identification, suggestion, fantasy and idealization, in order to explain the PAS like a specific combination of these components which results in the association of a child\'s subjective position to the position of the programming parent. Consequences of this reading are taken to the practice in psycholegal field, which enable to discuss some issues related to treatment and its regulation within the legal provision. Although psychoanalysis criticizes psychopathological and nosographic models, some guidelines enlightened in GardnerPAS bring forward innovative contributions to the symptoms of the modern family, enabling to rescue the effectiveness of a legal disciplinary system linked to the civilizing process with therapeutic effects and allowing the family configuration of the two lineages as referent and forming core of the child

As the divorce rate in the United States remains steady at 50%, the last few decades have shown an increase in child custody disputes. Within these litigations, interparental conflict can reach high levels and incite behaviors that wreak havoc on the children who are caught in the middle. When considering custody arrangements, judges and other evaluators use the Best Interest of the Child Standard (BICS), a jurisdictionally-specific framework that examines several factors that contribute to a child’s health and well-being. Parents who allow their resentments to get the better of them sometimes engage in behavior that encourages their child to become alienated from the other parent, known as Parental Alienation (PA) —a form of psychological abuse that can result in emotional and behavioral consequences for the child. While some states investigate components relevant to PA during a BICS evaluation, none include criteria that directly addresses this construct. Therefore, to achieve the intended outcome of BICS, which is to create a custody arrangement that will best meet a child’s needs, recognizing and addressing the presence of PA within a family system is required.

Este trabalho pretende oferecer uma análise crítica da Síndrome de Alienação Parental (SAP). Primeiramente visa apresentar o conceito de SAP, o modelo diagnóstico e interventivo tal como propostos por Richard Alan Gardner, psiquiatra forense americano. A análise de sua obra baseiase em uma leitura psicanalítica que permite ampliar a explicação da ocorrência da síndrome para além de uma descrição fenomenológica e objetiva tal como formalizada pelo seu criador. A definição clínica permite hipotetizar os termos genético-estruturais da SAP segundo um recorte psicanalítico a partir de Freud e Lacan. Parte-se da constituição do sujeito para explicar que a eficácia da SAP é possível a partir de um reforçamento da alienação fundamental induzido por um cuidador em uma criança que está na sua dependência. Realiza-se uma formalização mais precisa da síndrome a partir da proposição da SAP como uma montagem particular de transferência que se estabelece entre a criança e um cuidador, que desfaz ou minimiza os laços com o outro genitor. O fenômeno da transferência é decomposto em seus elementos formativos, a saber, identificação, sugestão, fantasia e idealização, de forma a permitir explicar a SAP como uma conjugação específica desses componentes que resulta na associação de uma posição subjetiva da criança à posição do genitor programador. Desta leitura são extraídas consequências à práxis no campo Psicojurídico, as quais permitem discutir algumas questões relativas ao tratamento e à sua regulação no interior do dispositivo jurídico. Embora a psicanálise critique modelos psicopatológicos e nosográficos, algumas linhas mestras iluminadas na SAP de Gardner trazem contribuições inovadoras frente aos sintomas da família moderna, permitindo resgatar a eficácia de um sistema disciplinar jurídico ligado ao processo civilizatório com efeitos terapêuticos e viabilizando a configuração familiar das duas linhagens como núcleo referente e formador da criança / The aim of this study is to offer a critical analysis of the Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS). First it intends to introduce the concept of PAS, the diagnostic and interventional model as proposed by Richard Alan Gardner, American forensic psychiatrist. The analysis of his work relies on a psychoanalytic reading that allows to extend the explanation of the occurrence of the syndrome in addition to a phenomenological and objective description as formalized by its creator. The clinical definition makes possible to hypothesize genetic-structural terms of PAS through a psychoanalytic view from Freud and Lacan. It starts with the constitution of the subject to explain that the effectiveness of PAS is possible from a reinforcement of the fundamental alienation stimulated by a caregiver in a child who is in their dependence. It is carried out a more precise formalization of the syndrome from the proposition of the PAS as a particular transference assembly that is established between the child and a caregiver that undoes or minimizes the ties with the other parent. The phenomenon of transference is decomposed into its formative elements, namely, identification, suggestion, fantasy and idealization, in order to explain the PAS like a specific combination of these components which results in the association of a child\'s subjective position to the position of the programming parent. Consequences of this reading are taken to the practice in psycholegal field, which enable to discuss some issues related to treatment and its regulation within the legal provision. Although psychoanalysis criticizes psychopathological and nosographic models, some guidelines enlightened in GardnerPAS bring forward innovative contributions to the symptoms of the modern family, enabling to rescue the effectiveness of a legal disciplinary system linked to the civilizing process with therapeutic effects and allowing the family configuration of the two lineages as referent and forming core of the child

The work deals with Parental Alienation Syndrome and connects it to the separation of parents or in their process of a breakup. It also deals with selected work options, specifically work with parents in the conflict and the actual work with the family in the presence of this syndrome. The theoretical part is a chapter of parents'separation and a chapter of Parental Alienation Syndrome. The practical part includes a description of the research, evaluation and conclusions. The main objective of the research is to analyze the situation of the family, giving rise to the syndrome from the perspective of the alienated parents. Parental Alienation Syndrome is a high risk for society and its occurrence or consequences are not negligible. Topicality is given to the large number of separations and divorces in our society.

Com o crescente número de separações e divórcios verificados nas últimas décadas no Brasil e no mundo assistiu-se, também, a um exponencial aumento nas disputas envolvendo a guarda dos filhos menores e o direito de visitas. Essa situação de grave conflito familiar se mostra solo fértil para o acirramento de ânimos das partes, que frequentemente não são capazes de perceber que a falência do seu relacionamento conjugal em nada altera sua relação parental com os filhos comuns. Nesse cenário, em que as desavenças familiares já chegaram aos umbrais do Judiciário, não raro se verifica a tentativa, notadamente movida por sentimentos de vingança, de se afastar o genitor não-guardião dos seus filhos, através de táticas e manobras geralmente levadas a cabo pelo genitor guardião aptas a efetivar tal distanciamento. A essa conduta se deu o nome de Alienação Parental, tema abordado pelo legislador brasileiro através da Lei 12.318, de 2010, que estabelece a reprovação estatal à conduta alienadora e fornece ao julgador elementos para identificá-la e repreendê-la. O presente trabalho visa, dessa maneira, por meio da análise dos estudos já realizados acerca da Alienação Parental e da Síndrome da Alienação Parental, identificar na conduta alienadora a configuração de verdadeiro abuso moral cometido contra a criança e o adolescente, por atentar contra o seu fundamental direito à convivência familiar com ambos os genitores. / With the increasing number of separations and divorces in recent decades in Brazil and throughout the world there was also an exponential increase of disputes involving custody of the children and visitation rights. This situation of severe family conflict provides fertile ground to the intensification of hostilities between the parties, who often fail to realize that their connubial relationships failure does not change their parental relationship with the mutual children. In this scenario, in which family quarrels have already reached the threshold of the judiciary, one can often see the attempt, notably motivated by feelings of revenge, to separate the non-custodial parent from his (her) children, through tactics and maneuvers usually carried out by the custodial parent that are able to accomplish such an estrangement. This behavior was named Parental Alienation, a subject addressed by the Brazilian act n. 12.318 of 2010, which established the state disapproval of the alienating actions and allowed the judge to identify and admonish them. Therefore, the present work aims, through the analysis of existing studies about Parental Alienation and Parental Alienation Syndrome, to consider alienating behaviors as a genuine form of moral abuse against children and adolescents, by undermining its fundamental right to family with both parents.