According to Baker, her findings refuted three myths about parental alienation syndrome:

(1) parental alienation is only perpetuated by mothers against fathers;

(2) parental alienation only occurs in divorced families;

(3) Parental alienation “is only effectuated by custodial parents.” (p.18). It may also occur during visitation with a noncustodial parent.   

Findings included:

Familial patterns identified included (1) self-centered mothers in either divorced or intact families, who alienated children from the father and (2) “cold, rejecting or abusive alienating parents of either gender.”

From a family systems perspective, in the above patterns, there is a breach in the parental unit, and another person is triangulated into the dysfunctional system. For example, a child may become a parental child and is delegated specific functions in the family system (e.g., to provide emotional support to a parent or make decisions instead of the parent). Cross-generational boundaries are not observed.

*  Many alienating parents appeared to have personality disorders, as inferred from descriptions provided by their adult children.

*  In addition to the emotional abuse incurred by the alienating parent, there was often another form of abuse, such as physical or sexual.

*  Such parents functioned like cult leaders who brainwashed their followers, making numerous negative allegations involving black-and-white thinking, regarding the targeted parent.

 Baker identified numerous alienation strategies used to disrupt the attachment between the child and the targeted parent.

In sum: 

 *  Parental alienation is a form of emotional abuse.

*  The alienating parent tended to provide intermittent reinforcement that led to an anxious attachment. The child was maneuverd into seeking to placate the alienating parent and win back their love and support when these were seemingly threatened.

*  The realization of the existence of parental alienation is a gradual process.

 *  The actual impact of alienation continues during the lifespan and may be intergenerational. (In other words, a person with a self-centered parent who alienated them from a targeted parent may end up marrying someone who is like their self-centered and alienating parent. Professional help may be required to break this cycle.)

*  The alienating parent tended to provide intermittent reinforcement that led to an anxious attachment. The child was maneuverd into seeking to placate the alienating parent and win back their love and support when these were seemingly threatened.

 *  How the targeted parent responded made a difference.