An Attachment-Based Model of Parental Alienation: Foundations

The construct of “parental alienation” has a controversial history. An attachment-based model of “parental alienation” brings the controversy to an end. An attachment-based model of “parental alienation” uses established constructs and principles of professional psychology to fully describe the psychological and interpersonal processes that create the symptom features of “parental alienation.” By defining “parental alienation” within standard and established psychological principles and constructs, an attachment-based model identifies a set of specific diagnostic indicators that can reliably identify "parental alienation" while differentiating "parental alienation" from other sources of parent-child conflict. An attachment-based model for the construct of "parental alienation" also identifies specific domains of professional expertise and knowledge necessary for the professionally competent diagnosis and treatment of this special population of children and families. Children deserve a childhood free from the stress of their parents’ conflict, and parents deserve to love and be loved by their children. An attachment-based model of "parental alienation" represents an important step in creating a solution to the family tragedy of "parental alienation" in high-conflict divorce.