Background: Considering the increase in divorce rates over the past few decades and the prevalence of parental alienation syndrome (PAS), it is necessary to identify the communication patterns contributing to this syndrome. Accordingly, the present study aimed to explore the effective communication patterns associated with PAS.
Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted in 2022-2023. Participants included parents of children with PAS, selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through interviews with 12 parents and then analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding techniques.
Results: Analysis of the interview data revealed seven communication patterns including expectation-focused communication, family umbilical cord-focused communication, domestic violence-focused communication, disunity-focused communication, apathy-focused communication, triangulation-focused communication, and withdrawal-focused communication.
Conclusion: Couples with children affected by PAS exhibit a diverse range of structural and behavioral patterns that ultimately lead to strong negative emotions toward the other party. These patterns distort mutual expectations and escalate conflict and violence between parents, resulting in increased withdrawal. Consequently, children often become involved in marital conflict, finding themselves at the boundary between their father and mother.