Family Members' Narratives of Divorce and Interparental Conflict: Implications for Parental Alienation

Abstract

This study focused on the internal dynamics of family members who experience divorce and interparental conflict. Interparental conflict and triangulating children increase the likelihood of alienating children from a parent. Narrative interviews with members of three families were used to explore meaning structures. Results showed how parents and children thought, felt, and created meaning about their experiences; how family members responded to conflict and behaviors associated with parental alienation; and how they viewed family relationships. Metalevel findings suggested each family member held dichotomous views and used cognitive and behavioral control response strategies. Thus, parental alienation stems from a relational dynamic and needs to be addressed from a family systems perspective.

Keywords:

• divorce
• family conflict
• narrative
• parental alienation
• parent–child relationships

Notes

¹Various terms have been given, each with its own emphasis, to characterize the emotional and relational tension children can experience when one parent attempts to distance the other parent from a close, loving relationship with the children. For a review of the terminology and history, see Fidler and Bala (2010). We use the term parental alienation to refer to parents and children who feel alienated from one another due to parent–child–parent triangulation induced by interparental conflict and parents' pejorative remarks about one another.

²For how ethical issues specific to this project were handled, see Moné (2007).

³If meanings are individually and socially constructed, is interpretation merely relative? No. Just because there might be other viewpoints does not mean that any interpretation is justifiable (Schwandt, 1990). Although interpretations can differ, they need justification to support their assertions. Just as many viewpoints add complexity and detail about a phenomena, so can many evidence-supported interpretations be offered to illuminate the various beliefs, constructions, and contexts from which meaning is created. Also, if we know what meanings and interpretations people create, it is possible to change the “unproductive, incomplete, or misinformed constructions” and work toward creating more positive constructions that influence people's thoughts and behaviors (Lincoln, 1998, p. 16).

⁴Internalizing behavior problems, which are significantly elevated in children following a high-conflict divorce (e.g., Ge, Natsuaki, & Conger, 2006), also tend to be invisible to their parents (Clarke-Stewart, Allhusen, & McDowell, 2003).