Problems of Forensic Sciences 2005 Vol. 61 (LXI) 19-29
COGNITIVE PROCESSES OF PARENTS FIGHTING FOR CUSTODY AND PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME OBSERVED IN THEIR CHILDREN
Alicja CZEREDERECKA
Institute of Forensic Research, Krakow
Streszczenie
Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a phenomenon observed in children from broken families described by Richard A. Gardner, that manifests in isolating from the parent who usually plays a role of second custodian and expressing a hate to him/her without a sense of guilt and shame. Gardner emphasises that a child is convinced about autonomy of own judgements, although in fact manipulation („brainwashing”) of a main custodian is a source of his/her attitude. The author of PAS attributes to the main custodian personality disorders or other forms of psychiatric problems. Author’s experiences as expert psychologist in the court indicate frequent occurrence of PAS in the broken families when both parents aim to be main custodian but also appearance of different forms of disorders in both parents pretending to this role. The aim of the research was to establish a relation between cognitive disturbances of parents (measured by Rorschach determinants) and a level of PAS observed in children. The studied group consisted of 112 parents. The results of parents playing the role of main custodian were considered separately from second custodians. Each of these two groups was divided into 2 subgroups according to the type of PAS observed in their children: A – parents of children who presented weak type of PAS or lack of the syndrome, and B parents of children who presented moderate or severe type of PAS. Discussion is especially focused on the relationship between cognitive disturbance of parents who have different level of participation in custody and creating of symptoms of PAS in their children. Not only severe level of cognitive disturbances but also the more subtle will be taken into consideration.
Słowa kluczowe
Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS); Custody dispute; Cognitive processes; Rorschach test.