This article critically analyses parental alienation syndrome and child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome. The author argues that, since its inception, parental alienation syndrome has been met with both scepticism and criticism. The criticism is substantiated by studies that have shown that, whilst high-conflict divorces can involve much negative description and animosity towards the other parent, children rarely ever become detached from parents solely based on this. The author also points out that the American Psychology Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" has not yet incorporated this syndrome, therefore it has little support among psychologists. Child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome has also been criticised from many angles, most strongly for its assumptions that the child will not be believed by those around them, and also for its general symptoms, many of which are signs of abuse anyway.

Butterworths Family Law Journal 4 [(3)September 2002 : 57-66