A Construct Study of the Eight Symptoms of Severe Parental Alienation Syndrome

Abstract

A survey study was conducted of adults who self-reported having children who were severely alienated from them. The primary research questions addressed were: (1) To what extent were the eight symptoms of Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS)-as identified by the construct's originator, Dr. Richard Gardnerreported to be manifested by the alienated children? And (2) holding severity constant, to what degree did the frequency of symptoms vary? Sixty-eight parents reported that the relationship with their children was severely damaged due to the attitudes and actions of the other parent. One question was asked about each of Gardner's eight symptoms (campaign of denigration, frivolous, weak or absurd rationale for the alienation, lack of ambivalence towards the alienating, lack of guilt or remorse about the alienation, borrowed scenarios, independent thinker phenomenon, taking the alienating parent's side in the conflict, and spread of alienation to the extended family of the targeted parent). Additional questions were surveyed to determine whether despite the severity of the alienation, were there moments in which the child was less than completely rejecting and committed to the alienation. Results revealed general support for the presence of the eight symptoms of PAS as well as insight into windows of opportunity when even the most severely alienated child demonstrates some “cracks in the armor,” raising hope for clinical intervention and eventual reunification.

Key Words:

• Children of divorce
• parents
• divorce
• parental alienation syndrome
• children adjustment to divorce