Parental alienation refers to situations where a child’s perception of a parent is influenced or distorted through ongoing conflict, messaging, or behaviour within the family system.

This can disrupt a child’s sense of connection, safety, and emotional balance, placing them in loyalty conflicts that are difficult to process.

The effects may include confusion, guilt, emotional distress, and long-term difficulties in trust and attachment.

When a child is placed in the middle of adult conflict, their emotional wellbeing becomes compromised.

• Parental alienation occurs when one parent manipulates a child to fear, reject, or feel hostility toward the other parent without justification, often during custody disputes.