IJRSS Volume 3, Issue 4 ISSN: 2249-2496 _____________________________________________________________________________ A Quarterly Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International e-Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage, India as well as in Cabell’s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us 57 November 2013 Defining and Measuring Estrangement Richard P. Conti* Kean University* William J. Ryan Abstract The term estrangement has been used in both the scientific and popular literature to describe a variety of behaviors. The paper reviews the various definitions and contexts in which the term estrangement is used, and instruments designed to measure the various constructs. An attempt is made to arrive at a behavioral/operational definition suitable for studying the phenomena. Keywords: estrangement, alienation, relationships Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute