Parentification and Related Processes: Distinction and Implications for Clinical Practice

ABSTRACT With the emergence of what can be called “new families,” the place and the role of the child are increasingly questioned. If a child helps a parent or takes care of them, the terms “parentified child,” “parental child,” or “adult child” are used equally. However, these concepts hide different processes that have different impacts on the child’s development. In the present article, based on the current doctoral research and clinical practice experience, the author will try to make the distinction between these concepts and to illustrate them. By a better identification of each process the author is convinced that therapists and social workers can be helped in their interventions with children and their families.