Exposure to Parental Alienation and Subsequent Anxiety and Depression in Italian Adults

This study examined associations between exposure to parental alienation behaviors (PA) and anxiety and depression in a community sample of Italian adults. Data were examined by the gender of the alienating parent and the gender of the respondent/adult child. Five hundred nine adults were administered the Baker Strategy Questionnaire (BSQ), the StateTrait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y); and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Results revealed that exposure to PA was associated with higher ratings of anxiety and depression. The data add to the growing body of knowledge regarding the longterm negative impact of exposure to parental alienation.