Yes, siblings can act as co-alienators in cases of parental alienation.

In some family dynamics, siblings may become either unwitting participants or active contributors to the alienation process, often under the influence of the alienating parent or caregiver.

This occurs when the alienating parent creates a loyalty bind involving one or more children, leading a sibling to adopt their perspective and actively participate in undermining the relationship between the targeted parent and another sibling.

This dynamic can intensify family conflict, erode relationships, and amplify emotional distress for all members involved, thereby deepening divisions within the family.

Table of Contents

How Siblings Become Co-Alienators

Parental Influence – Siblings may adopt the alienating parent’s negative narrative about the targeted parent. This can happen through direct communication (e.g., the alienating parent sharing grievances) or indirect cues (e.g., observing the parent’s attitudes or behaviors).
Social Reinforcement – In families where multiple children are involved, siblings can reinforce each other’s negative perceptions of the alienated parent. This creates a group dynamic where rejection of the parent is normalized.
Power Dynamics – Older siblings or those with stronger personalities may exert influence over younger siblings, aligning them with the alienating parent’s viewpoint.
Shared Experiences – When siblings share close bonds, they may collectively interpret events through the alienating parent’s lens, amplifying shared grievances—whether real or manufactured.
Peer-Like Alliances – Siblings may form peer-like alliances against the targeted parent, particularly if they feel a sense of loyalty or obligation to the alienating parent.

LEARN MORE: Parental Alienation – All You Need to Know

Parental Alienation Effects on Family Dynamics

Targeted Parent

The rejected parent may face amplified hostility when multiple siblings align against them, creating a united front of rejection.

Sibling Relationships

The alienation process can distort normal sibling relationships, fostering unhealthy dynamics like collective resentment, conflict avoidance, or scapegoating.

Children’s Well-Being

Participation in alienation can harm the alienating siblings themselves, leading to guilt, distorted self-identity, and difficulties forming relationships outside the family.

Parental Alienation and Sibling Relational Distress in the DSM-5

Sibling Relational Distress, as described in the DSM-5, refers to significant conflict, strain, or dysfunction in the relationship between siblings, resulting in emotional or behavioral problems that may interfere with individual well-being, family dynamics, or daily functioning.

This condition is not categorized as a mental disorder but is instead identified as a relational issue warranting clinical attention when it affects the mental health or psychosocial functioning of the individuals involved.

This diagnosis underscores the clinical importance of relational dynamics that disrupt emotional well-being and family cohesion.

Parental alienation, while not explicitly listed in the DSM-5, involves a dynamic in which one parent manipulates or influences a child to reject the other parent, leading to a breakdown in the parent-child relationship.

Sibling involvement in this process can create or amplify
Sibling Relational Distress

Loyalty Conflicts

In cases of parental alienation, an alienating parent may foster loyalty binds among siblings, causing divisions where some siblings align with the alienating parent while others may remain neutral or supportive of the targeted parent.

This dynamic can lead to ongoing sibling conflict and distress.

Pressure and Manipulation

An alienating parent may use one sibling to influence others, either directly or indirectly, encouraging them to align against the targeted parent.

This manipulation can create resentment, blame, and fractured sibling relationships.

Emotional and Psychological Stress

The alienation process often places siblings in emotionally charged and conflicted roles, exacerbating distress and further damaging sibling bonds.

This aligns with the DSM-5’s criteria for relational issues that contribute to individual and familial dysfunction.

Long-Term Impact

Both parental alienation and sibling relational distress can result in lasting psychological and relational harm, perpetuating cycles of distrust, anxiety, and emotional detachment within the family unit.

In this way, Sibling Relational Distress serves as a clinically relevant framework within the DSM-5 to understand and address sibling dynamics that may emerge as a consequence of parental alienation.

Recognizing this connection is essential for clinicians to develop interventions that mitigate harm and promote healthier family relationships.

Learn More: Parental Alienation Syndrome is a Legitimate Syndrome

Treating Sibling Relational Distress in Parent Alienation

Treating sibling relationship distress in cases of parental alienation requires a nuanced approach that addresses the underlying dynamics of alienation while promoting healthier relationships among siblings and with both parents.

Below are evidence-informed strategies for treatment:

Family Systems Therapy

Goal

Address family dynamics contributing to the distress and alienation.

Approach

Explore and challenge loyalty binds created by the alienating parent.
Help siblings understand the influence of parental manipulation.
Facilitate open communication to rebuild trust and emotional connections.

LEARN MORE: Intensive Reunification Therapy for Severely Alienated Children

Interventions

Family sessions involving all siblings and parents (when safe and appropriate).

Parental Alienation - Can Siblings Be Co-Alienators?

Psychoeducation

Goal

Increase awareness among family members about the effects of alienation and sibling relational distress.

Approach

Educate siblings and parents about the psychological and relational impacts of alienation.
Teach coping skills to manage stress and conflict.
Provide tools for siblings to navigate loyalty conflicts without damaging their relationships.

Individual Therapy for Siblings

Goal

Address individual emotional distress and clarify the sibling’s role in the family conflict.

Approach

Provide a safe space to explore feelings of guilt, anger, or confusion.
Help the sibling identify and resist undue influence from the alienating parent.
Develop emotional resilience and autonomy.

Parent-Child Reunification Therapy

Goal

Repair the damaged relationship between the targeted parent and the alienated child(ren).

Approach

Facilitate supervised interactions between the targeted parent and siblings.
Work to rebuild trust and attachment bonds.
Counteract alienation narratives while promoting positive co-parenting behaviors.

Conflict Resolution Skills Training

Goal

Equip siblings with tools to manage and resolve interpersonal conflicts.

Approach

Teach effective communication techniques, such as active listening and empathy.
Provide strategies for collaborative problem-solving. Encourage mutual support and understanding between siblings.

Interventions for the Alienating Parent

Goal

Reduce behaviors that perpetuate alienation and sibling conflict.

Approach

Engage the alienating parent in therapy to address underlying motives for alienation (e.g., unresolved anger, insecurity).
Promote behaviors that support healthier sibling and parent-child relationships.
Establish clear boundaries and accountability through legal or therapeutic agreements, if necessary.

Court-Involved or Legal Interventions (If Required)

Goal

Ensure a balanced parenting arrangement and protect the well-being of children.

Approach

Advocate for court-ordered therapeutic interventions for the family.
Utilize parenting coordinators to monitor compliance with court orders and therapy recommendations.

Support Groups

Goal

Provide emotional support and validation for siblings and parents.

Approach

Encourage participation in groups for alienated children or targeted parents.
Facilitate peer support to normalize experiences and share coping strategies.

Focus on Long-Term Healing

Alienation and sibling relational distress may have long-lasting effects. Treatment plans should incorporate the following:

Regular follow-ups to monitor progress.
Strategies for maintaining healthy relationships as siblings grow older.
Continued support to prevent future conflicts or alienation attempts.

Effective treatment requires collaboration between mental health professionals, legal systems (if applicable), and the family to address the complexity of sibling distress and parental alienation comprehensively.

Conclusion

Siblings can indeed act as co-alienators in cases of parental alienation, highlighting a complex dynamic that increases family conflict, erodes relationships, and amplifies emotional distress.

Through loyalty binds, undue influence, and shared grievances, siblings may become active participants in undermining the relationship between the targeted parent and other family members.

This dynamic not only harms the targeted parent but also distorts sibling bonds and compromises the emotional well-being of all involved.

The clinical framework of Sibling Relational Distress within the DSM-5 provides a valuable lens for understanding the impact of these relational dynamics, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

Treatment approaches such as family systems therapy, psychoeducation, individual counseling, and parent-child reunification therapy are essential for addressing both the immediate effects and long-term consequences of parental alienation.

Collaboration between mental health professionals, families, and legal systems is vital to mitigate harm, rebuild trust, and foster healthier relationships.

By recognizing and addressing sibling involvement in alienation, clinicians and families can promote healing and prevent further emotional and relational damage, ultimately restoring balance and cohesion within the family unit.