Research and Education
This section will be updated as news and research are published, so check back periodically.
06
This peer-reviewed pilot study evaluated adding a parental alienation (PA) item to the widely used Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) questionnaire. Among 231 young adults, one PA item correlated strongly with established ACEs items (r = .68, p < .01) and significantly improved model fit—accounting for more variance than the original scale. Findings suggest that parental alienation functions as a distinct form of childhood adversity, warranting inclusion in trauma-screening tools to better inform interventions and support strategies.
07
This qualitative study explores the long-term effects of childhood exposure to parental alienating behaviors. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 adults from an international sample, researchers identified key themes: anxiety disorders and trauma responses; persistent emotional pain; addiction and substance misuse; and resilience and coping mechanisms. The study also highlights the intergenerational transmission of alienation dynamics, widespread confusion among participants in interpreting their childhood experiences, and elevated levels of suicidal ideation. Overall, it reinforces that parental alienating behaviors function as emotional abuse with serious, lasting mental health consequences.
08​
How does one parent sever a child’s attachment to the other? This article frames parental alienation as a form of trauma, examining tactics used by alienating parents and advocating for attachment-informed legal and therapeutic responses.
09
Kruk, E., & Harman, J. J. (2024). Countering Arguments Against Parental Alienation as A Form of Family Violence and Child Abuse. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 53(2), 117–146.
This article challenges misinformation and denial about parental alienation by outlining its scientific basis, prevalence, and psychological harm to children. Dr. Harman highlights how denialism often silences affected parents and children, and underscores the need for professionals to rely on evidence, not ideology.
01
A comprehensive review of 213 empirical documents (through December 2020), this study finds that PA research meets key markers of a maturing scientific field—expanding literature, increasing quantitative methods, and hypothesis-driven studies. Nearly 40% of research emerged since 2016, demonstrating that PA scholarship has evolved past early descriptive stages into a robust, testable evidence based phemonenon.
02
This study outlines the development of structured self-report scales for PA (e.g., Alienated Family Scale Relationship, Baker Strategy Questionnaire, Rowlands Parental Alienation Scale). These tools represent an important step toward measurable, reliable assessment by operationalizing alienating behaviors based on definable constructs.
03
This peer-reviewed article defends the scientific and clinical validity of parental alienation as a form of family violence and child psychological abuse. The authors debunk common misconceptions and urge courts and professionals to recognize parental alienation as a serious child protection issue.
04
Treatment of Parental Alienation: Guidelines for Mental Health and Legal Practitioners" by Psychiatric Times (June 2024)
​This article is particularly useful for professionals working with cases of parental alienation. It provides practical guidelines for both mental health professionals and legal practitioners, highlighting effective treatment approaches and potential pitfalls like counselor negligence.
05
Professor Ben Hine from the University of West London recently conducted extensive research into parental alienating behaviours focusing on their prevalence, impact and the intricate dynamics involved.
In this article, paralegal Josie Hillier sets out some of the key points from the research and considers the recent guidance for the family court when dealing with allegations of alienating behaviours by a parent.