The effects of divorce and parental alienation on the alienated parent

A qualitative study of parental alienation

Abstract

This qualitative study follows the experience of parenthood for a research group of 20 subjects (ten mothers and ten fathers) who were unable to have normal relationships with their children due to the phenomenon of parental alienation. Data was collected using the narrative method and semi-structured interviews. Processing brought to light four main themes that dominate the lives of these parents whose children refuse all contact with them: the experience of having failed as a parent, a loss of relationship with the child as a result of the harsh intervention of the alienating parent, interference by the mother-in-law to undermine their parental role, and a feeling of hopelessness and powerlessness arising from the perception that there are major deficiencies in the judicial, social protection and mental health systems in Romania.