Diagnosis of pas (parental alienation syndrome) in child custody evaluations: suggestions from some clinical cases

In child custody evaluation during very conflictual couple divorces, you can often find situations in which children reject more and more relation with non-cohabitated parent. The phenomenon is initially studied by Gardener (1992,1998) and now it is known all over the world as PAS (Parental Alienation Syndrome). The phenomenological situation called PAS is very debated in psychological and psychiatric scientific community both by researcher and clinicians (Emery, Otto, O’Donohue, 2005; Gould, 2006; Warshak, 2002; Drozd, Olesen, 2004; Johnston, Kelly 2004; Kelly, Johnston, 2001). In particular, etiological aspects and symptoms, scientific validity of theory and syndrome conceptualization are discussed. In another theorical perspective, that we define symbolic and relational (Cigoli, Scabini, 2006), the configuration of symptoms usually attributed to PAS assume relevant and dynamic meanings referring to family relations during divorce process, it is the case of dysfunctional coalition between parents and sons or triangulation of son in parental disputes. During the speech, starting from some clinical situations met in child custody evaluation, family dynamics and relational configurations, that are at the beginning of sons’ refuse of parental encounters, will be highlighted (Gennari, Tamanza, 2015). In particular, relational fragilities linked to parents’ history of origin and to their couple relation will be presented as features that can contribute to determine PAS. This family theoretical perspective allows to menage clinical intervention in PAS situations in a more holistic and relational way, considering relations between generations as a key to explain and solve the interruption of parent-children bond.