English: For the first time in South Africa, the existence of parental alienation syndrome (PAS) as a phenomenon is investigated in this study. Confirmation of PAS as an established syndrome in South Africa, following the practical application of existing knowledge in a structured empirical investigation, is the main focus of this study. Available research results, mostly documented in the USA, are analysed as a starting point. In these findings the following shortcomings are identified: • The existing diagnostic measure does not meet the requirements to identify PAS in all circumstances. • The influence of specific developmental phases on the occurrence and dynamics of PAS as well as the effect of the investigation procedures on a child in a PAS situation, have not yet been established. • The influence of the administration of justice on the occurrence and dynamics of PAS is unknown. • Related divorce syndromes resembling PAS such as sexual allegations in divorce syndrome (SAID), divorce-related malicious mother syndrome (DRMMS), Medea syndrome and Munchausen syndrome have been identified. However, further research into the specific role of each of these syndromes in PAS is required Limitations of the existing findings regarding specific needs within the South African context have been indicated. Six families, totaling 14 children, aged 6 - 15 years where PAS was diagnosed, were included in the availability sample for the empirical investigation into PAS in South Africa. An exploratory descriptive case study method was applied to investigate the dynamics and development of PAS within children. The results confirm the existence of PAS as an independent syndrome in South Africa. In addition: • comprehensive diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of PAS are proposed. • the effects of developmental phases of children in the diagnosis of PAS are identified and defined. • the importance of communication patterns in the diagnosis of PAS is indicated • the influence of PAS on a child's emotional and behavioural problems is described. • the judicial implications are highlighted. • practical issues regarding PAS are addressed and certain suggestions made. As a result of both theoretical and practical findings, a model has been developed where the related divorce syndromes are compared and placed on a continuum. This generated clearer guidelines regarding the nature and dynamics of PAS in South Africa.
Afrikaans:In hierdie studie is die bestaansreg van die ouervervreemdingsindroom (OVS) as verskynsel vir die eerste maal in Suid-Afrika verkennend ondersoek. Die studie fokus op die begronding van OVS as volwaardige sindroom in Suid-Afrika. Beskikbare navorsingsresultate wat meestal in die VSA gedokumenteer is, is as vertrekpunt geneem en die volgende leemtes is geïdentifiseer: • Die bestaande diagnostiese maatstaf voldoen nie aan die vereistes om OVS onder alle omstandighede te diagnoseer nie. • Die invloed van spesifieke ontwikkelingsfases op die voorkoms en dinamika van OVS sowel as die invloed van die ondersoekprosedure op die kind in 'n OVS-situasie is nog nie bepaal nie. • Die invloed van die regspleging op die voorkoms en dinamika van OVS is onbekend. • Aanverwante egskeidingsindrome wat ooreenkomste met OVS toon soos seksuele beskuldigings tydens egskeidingsindroom (SBTES), egskeidingsverwante kwaadwillige-moedersindroom (EKMS), Medeasindroom en Munchausen-sindroom is geïdentifiseer en verbandhoudend maar die spesifieke rol van elkeen in OVS moet verder ondersoek word. Leemtes in die bestaande bevindings wat verdere ondersoeke aandui vanweë eiesoortige Suid-Afrikaanse omstandighede en behoeftes, is belig. Vir die empiriese ondersoek na OVS in Suid-Afrika is gebruik gemaak van 'n beskikbaarheidsteekproef van ses gesinne waar OVS gediagnoseer is. 'n Totaal van 14 kinders met ouderdomme wat wissel tussen 6 en 15 jaar is in die studie betrek. Met behulp van 'n ondersoekend-beskrywende gevallestudie-metode is 'n beskrywing van die dinamika en ontwikkeling van OVS met spesifieke verwysing na die kind gegee. Uit die resultate is bevestig dat ouervervreemdingsindroom wel as onafhanklike sindroom in Suid-Afrika bestaan. Verder is: • 'n omvattende diagnostiese kriteria voorgestel vir die diagnosering van OVS. • die inwerking van ontwikkelingsfases van kinders in die diagnosering van OVS geïdentifiseer en omskryf. • die belang van kommunikasiepatrone in die diagnosering van OVS onderskei. • die invloed van OVS op die emosionele en gedragsprobleme van die kind aangedui. • die juridiese implikasies belig. • praktiese vraagstukke rondom OVS verreken en sekere voorstelle gemaak. Na aanleiding van beide teoretiese en praktiese bevindings is 'n modelontwikkel waar die aanverwante egskeidingsindrome vergelykenderwys op 'n kontinuum geplaas is, om sodoende duideliker riglyne oor die aard en dinamika van OVS in Suid-Afrika daar te stel.
Psigologiese kenmerke van kinders uit intakte en egskeidingsgesinne ﻿
Jansen van Rensburg, Pieter (University of the Free State, 2004-09)
English: According to the South African Central Bureau of Statistics, documented divorces affect the lives of 45 000 children each year. The accumulative effect of the psychological impact on children in their mid-childhood ...