A qualitative exploration of reunification post alienation from the perspective of adult alienated children and targeted parents

Mandy Louise Matthewson; Jessica Bowring; Jacinta Hickey; Sophie Ward; Peta Diercke; Leesa Van Niekerk

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1189840

A qualitative exploration of reunification post alienation from the perspective of adult alienated children and targeted parents

Front Psychol. 2023 Aug 3:14:1189840. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1189840. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Mandy Louise Matthewson¹, Jessica Bowring¹, Jacinta Hickey¹, Sophie Ward¹, Peta Diercke², Leesa Van Niekerk¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
² School of Education, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of voluntary reunification from the perspectives of adult alienated children and targeted parents.

Methods: Nine adult alienated children and 12 targeted parents participated in semi-structured interviews which were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically.

Results: Six themes emerged in the data from the adult alienated children including catalysts for reunification, factors influencing reunification, adult alienated child relationships, the role of communication in reunification, adult alienated child understandings of alienation post reunification, and the role of therapy in reunification. Three themes emerged from the targeted parents including what is reunification, factors impacting reunification, and life after reunification.

Discussion: Findings from the present study offer novel insights into the experience of voluntary reunification from the perspectives of both adult alienated children and targeted parents. They illustrate that voluntary reunification is a process that takes time. This process can span decades and can include periods of connection and rejection.

Keywords: alienated child/children; parental alienating behaviors; parental alienation (PA); targeted parents; trauma informed approach.