Leyfi til að elska - mar. 2023, Blaðsíða 38

14 Journal of Family Issues 00(0)
The large number of extracts that alluded to family violence highlighted
the harmful interpersonal events associated with parental alienation. Rather
than adopting the “victim role,” however, many targeted parents indicated
adaptive coping attitudes and behaviors.
Coping
Thirty-six of the 126 responses included references coded at this theme and
there were a total of 65 references across these responses. These were a pat-
tern of comments that indicated specific coping activity as well as general
impression of stoicism and hopefulness in the face of parental alienation.
I resolved to learn more about [parental alienation] . . . to pull myself out of my
funk, get healthy physically, mentally and emotionally. I still have moments of
despair, usually only when I am alone. I miss my girl very, very much. I am and
was a really good parent. So many people see/saw that and remind me. I didn’t
deserve this treatment. Nor does my daughter. I won’t give up. I will always be
here for my girl.
Therapy. A small number of targeted parents mentioned psychological therapy
in their comments.
In the beginning I struggled to cope with everything but I did a lot of therapies
[which] . . . gave me the skills to tolerate distress, regulate my emotions,
communicate effectively and to be mindful of myself and all around me.
Social Support. A small number of targeted parents (n = 5) specifically referred
to support received by their social network, be it family or friends.
I’m thankful that I have the support of my family and friends and most of all
my girlfriend.
Self-Education. Targeted parents indicated a significant level of acquired
knowledge and ongoing self-education as a means of coping.
The difference this time around is that I have finally overcome the guilt of the
past. I always knew it wasn’t my fault but now I actually believe it because I
have been armed with the information. . . . It has been absolutely amazing for
me to finally have some sense of acknowledgement and validation to something
that deep down I’ve known is so true.
38
GLEYMDA FORELDRIÐ: FORELDRAÚTILOKUN FRÁ SJÓNARHÓLI ÚTSETTA FORELDRISINS CLARE POUSTIE O.FL.