Interviewing a Parent Suspected of Parental Alienation
I must note that the provided evidence focuses primarily on interviewing children in asylum/trauma contexts and incarcerated parent-child contact, which does not directly address interviewing alienating parents in custody disputes. However, I can extrapolate relevant forensic interviewing principles while acknowledging this limitation.
Core Interview Approach
When interviewing a parent suspected of parental alienation, conduct the interview in a neutral setting using open-ended, non-leading questions while maintaining a non-confrontational demeanor, as confrontational or argumentative approaches increase defensiveness and reduce disclosure accuracy. This approach draws from forensic interviewing principles that demonstrate how interviewer pressure and demeanor significantly affect response quality 1.
Essential Interview Structure
Begin with rapport-building and a clear explanation of the interview's purpose before proceeding to substantive questions 1. The interview should:
- Use open-ended questions rather than yes/no or forced-choice questions, as closed-ended questions yield less information and increase likelihood of inaccurate responses 1
- Avoid leading, suggestive, or argumentative questioning, which has been shown to compromise response accuracy and increase resistance 1
- Employ facilitators and supportive statements to encourage narrative disclosure 1
Critical Considerations for Parental Alienation Context
The alienating parent is typically the custodial parent who has primary access to the child 2. Understanding this dynamic is essential when structuring questions about:
- Daily routines and communication patterns with the child
- How the parent discusses the other parent with the child
- The parent's perception of the child's relationship with the other parent
- Specific incidents or statements the child has made about the other parent
Interview Environment and Recording
Conduct the interview in a neutral, non-threatening environment and record it (audio or preferably video) to ensure accuracy and accountability 1. Formal or intimidating settings (such as courtrooms) should be avoided as they increase stress and reduce disclosure 1.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Do not adopt a suspicious or antagonistic stance, as this increases reticence and defensiveness 1. Research demonstrates that when interviewers are perceived as suspicious and lacking empathy, disclosure decreases significantly 1.
Avoid repeatedly asking the same question, as this causes confusion, distress, and may lead to changed responses under pressure 1. This is particularly problematic when interviewing individuals who may already be defensive about their parenting behaviors.
Do not interpret inconsistencies as automatic indicators of deception 1. Instead, use open-ended follow-up questions to clarify discrepancies without accusation.
Understanding the Underlying Dynamics
Recognize that parental alienation often stems from the alienating parent's own experiences of loss, depression, anger, and aggression related to the divorce 3. This context should inform your interview approach—the goal is to understand the family dynamics and the parent's perspective, not to immediately confront or accuse.
Children diagnosed with parental alienation syndrome are often only children, may have identity problems, and can manifest manipulative behavior 2. Questions should explore the parent's awareness of these dynamics and their role in them.
Specific Areas to Explore
Using open-ended questions, explore:
- The parent's narrative about the divorce and separation 1
- How they describe the other parent to the child and others
- Their understanding of the child's feelings toward the other parent
- Specific examples of facilitating or hindering contact with the other parent
- Their perception of their own role in the parent-child-other parent dynamic
Frame questions to elicit narrative responses rather than defensive yes/no answers 1. For example, "Tell me about how you and [child] talk about [other parent]" rather than "Do you say negative things about [other parent]?"
Treatment and Intervention Context
Early identification and intervention is critical, as parental alienation becomes increasingly intractable over time 4. The interview should gather information that can inform whether reunification therapy or other interventions are needed 4.