This article provides a review of recent research concerning parental alienation syndrome (PAS). This article is written to familiarize the couple and family counselor with this subtle-but-extreme form of child abuse. An overview of proposed diagnostic criteria for PAS is provided in this review. Differential diagnostic issues are also examined to familiarize the reader with other closely related syndromes and disorders. Common personality characteristics and tactics of the alienation-inducing parent are presented. Short- and long-term experiences of the targeted parent and child subjected to this unfortunate experience are also explored. Last, multicultural and gender issues are discussed, and implications for couple and family counselors are provided.
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