Parental alienation: new academic research sheds light
- Online Mediation
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
New research from senior academics at the University of West London sheds light on the much-discussed issue of parental alienation, stating it is 'widespread'. The report, titled 'Examining the prevalence and impact of parental alienating behaviours (PABs) in separated parents in the United Kingdom' is based on over 1,000 interviews and in-depth research.
Parental Alienating Behaviours (PABs) are the actions taken when one parent tries to harm the relationship between their child and the other parent.
The report has been picked up and reported by the BBC and other media. You can read the BBC's write-up here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy7ge6np1l7o
These are the key findings from the report:
"1. How Common PABs Are: Around four in ten people (39.2%) felt their ex-partner tried to turn their child against them. When we used a standard questionnaire about more specific behaviours, this number jumped to 59.1%. When looking at parents who didn’t engage in the same behaviours in return, the rate was 36.5%.
2. Differences in Reporting: There was a clear difference between what people say about experiencing alienating behaviours and what specific measures show, with both methods only agreeing about 40% of the time.
3. Impact on Mental Health: Those who felt they were on the receiving end of PABs showed higher signs of PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts, no matter how it was measured.
4. Ties to Other Forms of Abuse: People who were identified as being alienated also reported higher levels of domestic violence from their ex-partner. And those who both gave and received PABs faced different legal and administrative problems than those who only received PABs.
5. The Effects on Children: Within our study, participants did not report many manifestations of alienation in children (as measured by the new Five-Factor Model). However, this does not mean that children are not influenced by these behaviours, and it is difficult to judge based solely on reports from the alienated parents. More research on this is clearly needed.
Put simply, PABs are widespread, and they are complex. They deeply affect mental health and often co-occur with other harmful behaviours. Our study highlights the need for careful methods and a detailed approach to really understand and tackle the problem of parents being alienated from their children."
The authors of the report make three recommendations for change around the issue of parental alienation:
1. Comprehensive Education and Awareness Campaigns:
• Design and implement public awareness campaigns to inform communities about PABs, their implications, and avenues for support. These campaigns can be facilitated through schools, community centres, and media.
• Educate individuals involved in family court proceedings, such as judges and lawyers, on the intricacies of PABs. Regular workshops can be organised to keep them updated on the latest research and best practices in this area.
2. Mental Health and Support Services:
• Mental health professionals should receive specialised training in recognising and treating the psychological effects of PABs.
• Develop support groups and counselling services specifically for parents and children affected by PABs. Collaboration between therapists, legal systems, and educational institutions can provide a comprehensive support system for those affected.
3. Enhanced Research Methodologies and Instruments:
• Given the discrepancies between self-reported and behaviourally indicated PABs, future research should focus on refining the methodologies and tools used to measure and evaluate PABs. Combining qualitative and quantitative measures can provide a more holistic picture.
• Studies should delve deeper into the reasons behind these discrepancies, which may be rooted in cognitive biases, lack of awareness, or even societal perceptions.
The authors of the report are:
Ben Hine, Professor of Applied Psychology, University of West London
Jennifer Harman, Associate Professor, Colorado State University
Sadie Leder-Elder, Associate Professor of Psychology, High Point University
Elizabeth Bates, Associate Professor in Family Violence and Abuse, University of Cumbria
The full report can be accessed here:
About Online Mediation
Our experienced family mediators assist where issues of Parental Alienating Behaviours (PABs) are raised. Family court is not always the right route; our mediators will assist each parent in assessing their options and will facilitate joint mediation sessions where appropriate. Conact us with any queries.
