What are the developmental effects on children who must fulfill the family role of parent? Editor Nancy D. Chase defines parentified children as children who are compelled to perform the role of parent at the expense of their own developmentally appropriate needs and pursuits. With uncanny sensibilities, these children are attuned to their parents moods, wishes, vulnerabilities, and nuances.

This volume is a comprehensive study of parentification in the family, covering both theoretical as well as clinical topics by a group of distinguished contributors. Students, academics, and professionals in family studies, social work, child abuse, developmental psychology, school psychology, and family therapy will find Burdened Children an excellent resource on this phenomenon.