rescue syndrome
rescue syndrome. Family law. A situation in which a child in a custody battle expresses a preference for the parent perceived by the child to be the “weaker” of the two, in the belief that the parent needs the child. • This is a form of parent-alienation syndrome. One parent may overtly or subtly act increasingly dependent on the child, leading the child to believe that he or she is responsible for the parent’s comfort, happiness, and protection. The child may also believe that one parent is actively harming the other and attempt to protect the “weaker” parent by choosing to stay with that parent, even if the child would actually prefer to live with the “stronger” parent. See PARENT-ALIENATION SYNDROME. Cf. LOLLIPOP SYNDROME.
