La falta de apegoconsecuencia del maquiavelismo y el abuso infantil

Abstract

This research has been carried out with the aim of proving to what extent are there children who show parental detachment towards their progenitors, and that being the case, which are the reasons that have led to such situation, taking into account their parents’ behaviour. Firstly, a theoretical review of the false Parental Alienation Syndrome was performed, with the aim of knowing several of the family reasons and situations that make minors feel rejection towards at least one of their biological parents. Secondly, Machiavellianism was studied, focusing on understanding the behavior of those parents who arouse in their children the wish to distance themselves from them, or directly the rejection of their children towards them. Lastly, relating the two previous questions, it was performed a theoretical review of attachment, which is the main aim of this study. The research took place in school centres at national level, with the participation of 3000 minors, whose mean age was 11,32. Socio-demographical data was gathered, as well as the answers to the following questions: if they loved their parents, if they thought that they should always tell them the truth and if their want was being always with them. Furthermore, an ad hoc children’s preferences scale was developed for this research. The results of the attachment that the children felt towards their parents showed that 4,7% of the children express to not love them, 5,2% to not keep in touch with them, 9,8% did not consider important the fact of telling them the truth and 2,5% answered these three questions negatively. On the one hand, four factors on the father’s behaviour towards children were identified, correlating the father’s attitude towards homework assignment, willingness to assist and positive control on the minor, negative control and excessive concern, and lack of communication. On the other hand, the four factors identified regarding the mother’s behaviour towards children are in line with the actions of control on homework, negative control and excessive concern, assistance with excessive control and lack of communication. It is verified that showing assistance towards children, appropriate control and communication, are the main factors for a positive attachment. Limitations of this study towards further research are highlighted.