The
resulting alienation
of the child from the parent creates degrees
of diminished
relationship between the child and the alienated parent in a manner which can
result in loss
of affection and a reduction in quality
of life for that parent, and may create
dysfunctional effects over time for the child.
Minuchin theorized that an individual's symptoms were a
result of the
dysfunctional family system, and he identified hidden hierarchies and
relationships within the family that lead to dysfunction.