It is far too common to hear mental health and legal professionals routinely dismiss Parental Alienation (PA) as a syndrome.
Even after proponents of Parental Alienation Syndrome have, albeit reluctantly, given up on insisting it’s a syndrome, non-supporters of PA often continue to argue that Parental Alienation (PA) lacks a scientific foundation to be considered a syndrome. Their argument goes well if it’s not a syndrome then it doesn’t exist at all.
A syndrome is a grouping of signs and symptoms based on their frequent co-occurrence that suggests a common underlying cause.
PA, as many others discuss it, can clearly meet this definition. The nice thing about using the Syndrome is that when that is present, then there is a predominant cause, usually a parent, caregiver, etc. When a child is alienated from a parent, i.e. PA, there could be a number of causes behind the alienation. In fact, when the alienation is caused by the rejected parent, as in poor parenting skills, abuse, etc., then the rejection is referred to as estrangement not alienation.
The designation “syndrome” conveys legitimacy that some may believe requires more rigorous empirical research. Opponents of PA believe that using the term “syndrome” in court may strengthen judicial confidence in the concept and thereby enhance its testimonial value and reliability.
So with PA we will frequently hear children telling us that a parent has done things both in front of them as well as to them. For example, it is not uncommon for a child to report a parent has struck, pushed or hurt another parent and they will report a parent has neglected, touched or abused them.
The question is: “Should we believe them”?
Research demonstrates “Not necessarily”! During the Salem trials children were responsible for the severe punishment of some adults. As a result courts became skeptical of children’s testimony, but the tide seems to have shifted to where courts are now hearing more and more from children. Yet research is telling us that: children are sometimes capable of telling the truth; lie sometimes; and sometimes report what they believe but are wrong.