What is the knowledge of parentification today?

The article is a preliminary study of the construct 'parentifikation'. The author describes four forms of parentification, then focuses on the 'destructive parentifikation', as does the review literature. The findings and assumptions stem from research, therapy, and theoretical articles. They show some consequences parentification may have to the parentified child or adult. It seems there may be serious effects to the parentified persons emotional and interpersonal development. The levels of investigation in the review literature, the validity of the findings and implications of parentification to the parentified person are discussed. Finally the author asks, if destructive childhood parentification may lead to personality disorders in adulthood. This could be the subject of a future investigation.