Before delving into the complex relationship that exists between parental interference and child abuse, it is necessary to conceptualize both terms to understand their scope and the impact devastating that it has on minors who are victims of this situation.
On the one hand, when we talk about parental interference We refer to behaviors on the part of a parent that hinder or negatively interfere with the minor's relationship with the other parent. It does not manifest itself in a single way, but it can manifest itself in different ways, including making the child's contact and relationship with the other parent difficult, denigrating the other parent or even manipulating the children's perception of the figure. of the other parent.
The minors are immersed in a parental conflict which can generate anxiety, depressive states and a deep emotional imbalance that will mark them for life, affecting both their emotional and psychological development.
On the other hand, the child abuse It is important to note that it covers a wide spectrum of behaviors that can range from physical and emotional abuse to neglect, sexual abuse and abandonment. Each form of abuse will have a concrete and unique impact on minors, leaving serious long-term emotional consequences on them.
When we talk about parental interference we focus on the type of emotional abuse, understanding this as one in which words, gestures or attitudes are used that cause damage to the self-esteem, integrity and emotional development of minors. They include humiliation, manipulation, intimidation, rejection of the common child if he does not think and feel like the parent who exercises this emotional abuse, showing absolute indifference to the emotional needs of the minor and placing responsibilities on him that do not correspond to him.
- What emotional consequences does Parental Interference have on minors?
The emotional consequences The effects of Parental Interference on children are devastating and manifest themselves in various ways throughout their lives. Children who have been victims of abuse may experience problems with self-esteem, low self-concept, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, anxiety disorders, rigid thoughts, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, identity problems, feelings of uprooting, insecure attachment in adult relationships, etc. In short, consequences that do not allow them to have adequate comprehensive development.
At the opposite extreme to the dynamics of cooperation and communication between parents that encourage the establishment of adequate and gratifying relationships with the child (co-parenting), there are those that seek precisely the opposite and whose main manifestation is the denigration of one parent by the other, generating serious and profound long-term damage to the child (Hayden, 1984).
When parental interference occurs, an environment of continuous conflict is created, which becomes chronic, giving rise to great confusion that deeply affects the emotional stability of the minor. An intense hostility towards the rejected parent is instilled in minors, who are carried away by fear of rejection due to the distorted image that the abusive and obstructive parent exerts on them. Children who are victims of these parents who exercise this abuse on them can experience a deep feeling of abandonment, confusion, fear and distrust towards parental figures, learning ways of coping and life skills that will not be functional or adaptive for their personal and social future or for a normal development of their personality.
This problem hinders parents' ability to protect their children and foster a safe and affectionate environment, which can aggravate the risk situations to which these minors, victims of parental interference, are exposed. As with any abuse, this is also supported by other people who also fall prey to the manipulations and cognitive distortions of the abusive parents, which perpetuates this scourge and places the minors in a situation of true lack of protection.
It is therefore essential to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and guaranteeing the psycho-emotional well-being of minors, recognising the seriousness and consequences of this problem and promoting safe, healthy and solid environments for their comprehensive development.
From the Parenting Coordination We not only prevent and detect these risk situations, but we also intervene in cases where there are minors who are victims of parental interference in order to truly guarantee their protection, guaranteeing them a safer and healthier future in which they are respected as people independent of the needs of the parents who are capable of exercising this abuse and emotional mistreatment on them at all costs.
Bibliographic references
Hayden, B. (1984). In the best interest of the child: The psychologist as child expert and child advocate. In Müller, Backman and Capman (Eds.), Psychology and law. (pp.12-23). New York: Wiley and sons.
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