Alienated Family Relationship Scale

Abstract

The objective of the current pilot study was to develop a new self-report instrument, the “Alienated Family Relationship Scale” (AFRS), in order to identify the alienated dynamic within the family from the young adult's perspective. The AFRS comprised three sections: Interparental Conflict, Alienating Attitude of the father toward the mother and of the mother toward the father, and Alienated Attitude of the young adult toward both parents. The sample consisted of 493 undergraduate students of which 417 were from intact families (IF) and 76 were from divorced-separated families (DF). Results suggested good reliability, as well as convergent and construct validity. The AFRS also discriminated between IF and DF groups. The implication of the present study for understanding alienation and for new avenues of research were discussed.

Key Words:

• Parental alienation
• anger
• distress
• intact and divorced families