The Impact of Parental Alienation on Children’s Executive Function Skills

The Impact of Parental Alienation on Children’s Executive Function Skills

Brief overview of parental alienation, Why the relationship is important:

Parental alienation refers to a dynamic in which one parent, often during or after a divorce or

separation, attempts to negatively influence the child's perception and relationship with the other

parent. It involves a persistent and unwarranted campaign to denigrate and undermine the alienated

parent, leading the child to reject or harbor negative feelings towards that parent. Parental

alienation can involve various behaviors, such as making derogatory remarks, limiting contact,

manipulating information, or instilling fear or guilt in the child.

What is executive function?

Executive dysfunction refers to difficulties in the cognitive processes involved in self-regulation,

problem-solving, decision-making, and goal-directed behavior. These processes are primarily

governed by the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Executive functions include cognitive flexibility

(shifting between tasks or strategies), working memory (holding and manipulating information),

inhibitory control (suppressing impulsive responses), planning and organization, and emotional

regulation.

Parental alienation can have a significant impact on a child's executive function.

The emotional distress caused by the alienation process can consume cognitive resources and

impair the child's ability to focus, regulate emotions, and engage in effective problem-solving.

Chronic stress resulting from parental alienation can also disrupt the development and functioning

of the prefrontal cortex, leading to impairments in cognitive flexibility, working memory, and

impulse control.

Common Symptoms of parental alienation

Decreased focus and attention, increased confusion and distress, difficulty forming healthy

relationships, trust issues, decreased ability to make decisions

Parental alienation can have a significant impact on a child's executive function.

The emotional distress caused by the alienation process can consume cognitive resources and

impair the child's ability to focus, regulate emotions, and engage in effective problem-solving.

Chronic stress resulting from parental alienation can also disrupt the development and functioning

of the prefrontal cortex, leading to impairments in cognitive flexibility, working memory, and

impulse control.

Impact of Trauma on brain and body

Can overwhelm a child's ability to cope and can cause intense feelings of fear, helplessness, and

terror, increased stress hormones. Trauma can activate the fight or flight response in a child,

leading to the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. This can disrupt the

body's normal physiological processes and lead to physical and emotional symptoms such as

increased heart rate, sweating, and anxiety. And causes changes in brain structure.

Effects of executive dysfunction on children's daily functioning, academic performance, and

social relationships

Difficulties with time management and organization. Poor planning and problem-solving skills

Reduced task initiation and completion Poor organization and time management skills: impaired

social skills: Lack of emotional regulation: difficulty with perspective-taking and empathy

Key findings:

Recognizing and addressing the effects of parental alienation on executive function through

appropriate support and interventions is crucial to promote healthy development and well-being in

children experiencing this challenging situation.

Long-term outcomes & effects of PA & subsequent executive dysfunction

Academic Challenges: Impaired Social Relationships: Emotional and Psychological

Consequences: Long-term Mental Health Issues, Impaired Decision-Making: Reduced

Independence and Functional Abilities: Physical illness and disease

Annotated References

Reference General Findings/Conclusions

Applebury, Gabrielle, August 13, 2020, “6

Dysfunctional Family Roles and Their

Characteristics”, M.A., Marriage and

Family Therapy.

https://family.lovetoknow.com/aboutfamily-

values/6-dysfunctional-family-rolestheir-

characteristics

Applebury, Gabrielle, August 13, 2020, “6 Dysfunctional Family Roles and Their

Characteristics”, M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy.

https://family.lovetoknow.com/about-family-values/6-dysfunctional-family-roles-theircharacteristics

Harvard University, Center on the

Developing Child, 2015, “Resilience”,

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science

/keyconcepts/

resilience/?fbclid=IwAR1EhMIez

n9cS0U32TvqYtmudihtDlobn98fJgj61IooZ

cf7JGc6IG0HgI4

Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child, 2015, “Resilience”,

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/keyconcepts/

resilience/?fbclid=IwAR1EhMIezn9cS0U32TvqYtmudihtDlobn98fJgj61IooZcf7

JGc6IG0HgI4

Harvard University, Center on the

Developing Child, 2015, “Executive

Function & Self-Regulation”,

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science

/key-concepts/executive-function/

Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child, 2015, “Executive Function & Self-

Regulation”, https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/executive-function/

Kosierowski, Keith, 2023 -

Kosierowski, Keith, 2017-2023 Published

Articles

1. "The Impact of Parental Alienation on Children’s Executive Functioning" (2018), 2.

"The Effects of Parental Alienation on Children's Cognitive Functioning" (2017), 3.

"Parental Alienation and Children's Mental Health: A Systematic Review" (2020), 4.

"Parental Alienation and Its Impact on Children's Development" (2019),5. "Child

Executive Functioning in High-Conflict Families: The Role of Parental Alienation" (2021)

Rollo, Jo Amy and Duane Cloud, updated

April 7, 2022, “What are the Family

Dynamics?”

https://study.com/learn/lesson/familydynamics-

roles-examples.html

Rollo, Jo Amy and Duane Cloud, updated April 7, 2022, “What are the Family

Dynamics?” https://study.com/learn/lesson/family-dynamics-roles-examples.html

The OT Toolbox, June 2020.

https://www.theottoolbox.com/criticalthinking/

The OT Toolbox, June 2020. https://www.theottoolbox.com/critical-thinking/

Sillars, Amanda, 2022, Alienated Child

Perspective.

Sillars, Amanda, 2022, Alienated Child Perspective.

Smith, et al., 2016 A study published in the Journal of Emotional Abuse found that children exposed to high

levels of parental alienation had significantly lower scores on measures of executive

function than children who were not exposed to parental alienation

Jones, et al., 2018 Another study published in the Journal of Child Custody found that children who

experienced parental alienation had difficulty with planning, problem-solving, and impulse

control, all of which are components of executive function

Stewart, Mamie Kanfer, Nov 8, 2021, 11

“Executive Functioning Skills Needed In

The Workplace”,

https://www.mamieks.com/post/11-

executive-functioning-skills-needed-in-theworkplace

Stewart, Mamie Kanfer, Nov 8, 2021, 11 “Executive Functioning Skills Needed In The

Workplace”, https://www.mamieks.com/post/11-executive-functioning-skills-needed-inthe-

workplace

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