Performing developmental tasks in emerging adults with childhood parentification – insights from literature

Parentification is the process of role reversal between the child and the parent, whereby the child provides support and acts as the caregiver for the parent, instead of being supported and taken care of. The phenomenon of parentification may afflict families at diverse stages of development, including those before as well as after the phase of empty nest. Parentification may then pertain a threat to the development of a young person by impeding or preventing him or her from fulfilling developmental tasks. Furthermore, it can be a distracting factor in his/her future role as a partner, parent, or employee. The purpose of this review is to examine the current literature concerning the effects of retrospective parentification on young adults’ difficulties in performing developmental tasks and roles.