New UWL study identifies parental alienation as a significant risk factor for those coping with family breakdown
Intro
A new report from UWL’s School of Human and Social Sciences (SHSS) – the first ever research in the UK examining both women and men going through family breakdown – reveals that almost 60% (59.1%) have experienced parental alienating behaviours (PABs) and show higher signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicidal thoughts.
Article body
Titled ‘Alienating behaviours in separated mothers and fathers in the United Kingdom’, the new report was launched on International Parental Alienation Awareness Day (25 April).
Professor Ben Hine, who is Professor of Applied Psychology at UWL’s SHSS, concludes that currently, the support on offer for families going through breakdown is inadequate as PABs represent a major health issue in the UK.
Professor Hine said,
This first ever national study on parental alienating behaviours involving women and men shows just how prevalent such actions are. The higher signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicidal thoughts should be a concern for healthcare professionals, family courts and policymakers.”
The UWL report was funded by grant-making foundation the Sir Halley Stewart Trust and its findings are backed by two charities – Match Mothers and Dads Unlimited.
The results are from a survey of over 1,000 women and men, which was compiled for the University of West London by market research consultancy Atomik.
Questions posed to parents in the survey used an accepted scientific approach called Bernet’s Five-Factor Model. This is a method for identifying parental alienation based on different conditions being met.
The key findings are:
PABs are common
Around two fifths of those interviewed (39.2%) felt that their ex-partner had tried to turn their child against them. When Professor Hine used a standard questionnaire detailing more specific behaviours, this number jumped to 59.1%. When looking at parents who did not engage in the same behaviours in return, the rate was 36.5%.
Mental health impact
Those parents 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.
Ties to other 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 to those who only received PABs.
Questions posed to women and men in the survey included:
- "Have you told your child you or the other parent doesn't love them?"
- "Have you or your partner badmouthed or derogated you or the other parent to your child?"
- "Have you done things to limit contact (e.g. visits) with you or the other parent?"
- "Have you not allowed your child to have belongings or other things that remind them of you or the other parent?"
A full copy of the report is available to download from the UWL website.
Related news
-
UWL professor publishes funded research into the rapid development of autonomous vehicles
Alison Wakefield, Professor of Criminology and Security Studies at UWL, and researchers from the University of Portsmouth have published a report entitled "Autonomous Vehicles: Threats, Risks and Opportunities".
-
University of West London hosts academics from Prince Sultan University as AI-based "Intelli-Student" project reaches final stages
Researchers from UWL's School of Computing and Engineering and the Prince Sultan University in Saudi Arabia have been working on a research project to develop the ‘Intelli-Student’ computer-aided learning platform.
-
The University of West London continues the legacy of BBC community programming DIY TV with its Festival of (Me)dia
The event was the centrepiece of an LSFMD research project into the history and influence of the BBC's Community Programme Unit, an initiative to allow the public to produce their own TV shows.
-
Meet the Head of the University of West London’s Graduate School, Caroline Lafarge
Now Head of the Graduate School, Professor Caroline Lafarge first came to the University of West London (UWL) in 2009 to study a post-graduate diploma in Psychology and never left.
-
New UWL study identifies parental alienation as a significant risk factor for those coping with family breakdown
Almost 60 per cent of people going through family breakdown are or have experienced parental alienating behaviours, according to a new report from the School of Human and Social Sciences.
-
University of West London recognises the importance of knowledge exchange with inaugural awards ceremony
April saw the University of West London recognise its growing portfolio of Knowledge Exchange activities with the UWL Knowledge Exchange Awards. Featuring five categories, the awards took place at the Ealing site.
-
Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing participates in Building Information Modelling Heritage (BIMHERIT) event in Rome
The event outlined new multidisciplinary research at the Circus of Maxentius, built by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius (283 – 312) along the legendary Appian Way in Rome.
-
UWL Associate Professor in Photography invited to present at Harvard University
Dr Junko Theresa Mikuriya was invited by Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) CAMLab to present a paper at the ‘Medium of the Mind’ conference held on 8 and 9 March.
-
Criminology students attend International Women’s Day security industry celebration
Students heard presentations from inspiring women at different stages of their career. They then had the opportunity to network with speakers and guests from across the security profession.
-
School of Human and Social Sciences leader authors new child safeguarding standard
Dr Simon Ian Fox was selected to author a new child safeguarding standard in out-of-school settings for global certification body The British Standards Institution (BSI).
-
UWL holds London focused Levelling Up event at the House of Commons
The Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP) – part of the University of West London – recently held a special event at Westminster discussing the topics of Levelling Up in London, inequality in the capital and how they can be addressed by government.
-
UWL hosts inaugural TEDx event: Beyond Boundaries: Unleashing Limitless Perspectives
Topics under discussion included SEGA Europe and cyber security; research on astronaut bone health using smart tech to improve osteoporosis; digital dexterity, artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of creative communications and immersive engineering.
-
Hong Kong Institution of Engineers shortlists paper co-authored by UWL Professor of Civil Engineering as finalist for Structural Excellence Award
Professor Ali Bahadori-Jahromi, who leads The Building Performance and Climate Change Research Group at SCE, has received recognition in the HKIE’s annual awards.
-
UWL welcomes Robert Vaughan as Head of Psychological Sciences
Robert has cited the institution’s overall positivity rating as the top provider in England in the National Student Survey as per (Times Higher Education) as a key factor for joining UWL.
-
Professor of Applied Philosophy at the University of West London (UWL) contributes to ground-breaking academic volume on Philosophical Health
Published by Bloomsbury, 'Philosophical Health: Thinking as a Way of Healing' examines the theory and practice of philosophical health in contemporary contexts of care.
-
UWL Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences meets the Princess Royal at opening of MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) building
Dr Bernadine Idowu, Associate Professor at the University of West London, was among those invited to meet the Princess as she toured the new Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) building on Imperial College’s Hammersmith Hospital campus.
-
Meet Dr Annie Yim, the LSO performer and London College of Music lecturer using music to address mental health
Dr Yim is receiving UWL's Knowledge Exchange seed funding for a spoken word mental health research project.
-
School of Computing and Engineering lecturer receives prestigious scientific award
Dr Livia Lantini, Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of West London (UWL), has won the 2024 Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award for the Geosciences Instrumentation and Data Systems (GI) Division from the European Geosciences Union (EGU).
-
University of West London welcomes new Professor of Psychology
Professor Mark Coulson joins UWL from the University of East Anglia where he was Director of Employability, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Placement Director, and Director of Masters programmes.
-
University of West London professor wins Purpose Coalition Award for championing social mobility
Professor Graeme Atherton won the Positive Destinations for Young People award for his relentless commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity and boosting social mobility.
-
New University of West London report argues levelling up funding is Boris Johnson’s legacy
The new publication from UWL’s Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP) examines how the government has distributed its flagship Levelling Up Fund.
-
Students and graduates find out about job opportunities at Life and Health Sciences Careers Fair
Hundreds of attendees connected with more than 30 organisations offering employment opportunities plus UWL’s Volunteering, Peer Mentoring, Talent Bank and Careers teams.
-
World-leading expert in pavement and transportation engineering gives guest lecture on the future of transportation science at UWL
His presentation covered the latest scientific and technological developments in the sector, as well as transformative engineering innovations that are driving changes in society, the economy and the environment.
-
UWL research reveals hidden public health crisis affecting separated fathers
A new report titled Lost Dads: The Fathers and Family Breakdown, Separation, and Divorce Project reveals that more than 40 per cent of men (41.9%) seeking help after family breakdown had suicidal thoughts.
-
UWL's ECR Network: promoting collaboration among early career researchers
Designed to create an inclusive and collaborative community for emerging researchers, the ECR Network provides a platform for researchers to explore ground-breaking ideas, exchange knowledge and engage in practical discussions.
-
UWL's Engineering Future Sustainability open access journal – amplify your research impact
Engineering Future Sustainability provides a forward-thinking platform for exploring sustainable methodologies and spotlighting engineering endeavours that balance present necessities with future sustainability.
-
Fast forward: UWL researchers win funding to develop better, more cost-effective AI software
AI experts from the UWL’s School of Computing and Engineering have been awarded a £162,005 grant by national innovation agency Innovate UK to develop high performance machine learning software.
-
UWL academic secures Knowledge Exchange funding for 'Future Flight' Masters course
Dr Anil Padhra, from UWL’s London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism, has secured funding from Innovate UK’s ‘Future Flight Challenge’, which is investing in projects that can help build on the UK aviation industry’s skills.
-
UWL team selected as finalists for Ofwat’s Water Discovery Challenge
Researchers from the School of Computing and Engineering have received a £50,000 grant along with additional practical support, including mentoring by experts from Thames Water and South West Water.
-
SHSS Lecturer co-writes report on food banks in schools for leading educational research body
Ms Sharon Vince, a lecturer in Early Years and Education at the School of Human and Social Sciences, received funding from the British Educational Research Association (BERA).
-
Opera performance supports dementia-friendly events to increase access to the arts
The event was a special preview of a new contemporary opera ‘The Last Siren’, a 30-minute piece that takes a fresh look at the Greek myth from Homer’s Odyssey.
-
The UWL Doctoral Students' Conference 2023
The University of West London Graduate School’s 26th annual Doctoral Students’ Conference saw as many as 130 research students and academic colleagues take part.
-
UWL lecturer’s research article published in the Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice
Dr Rashid Minhas' article uses real-life cases to illustrate instances where negative stereotypes have influenced decision-making, leading to unjust outcomes.
-
Seventh BME Early Career Researcher Conference in Leeds sparks international interest
The conference was originally founded by UWL Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences Dr Bernadine Idowu.
-
UWL PhD student wins best paper at Doctoral Conference and is nominated in FindAUniversity awards
Agha Usama Hasan recently completed his PhD at the University of West London’s School of Computing and Engineering, working with German supermarket retailer Lidl on making its UK supermarket buildings more carbon neutral.
-
2023 graduation celebrations begin for UWL students!
Across two days and eight ceremonies featuring thousands of students, 15 honorary degrees and countless handshakes and hugs, it is time for the University of West London’s graduation festivities to begin!
-
“How Can Labour Level Up?” report launched at the House of Commons
The University of West London’s Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP) launched its latest research report at a special event attended by politicians, policymakers and NGOs.
-
University of West London summer lecture: Levelling up and why it will decide the next election
Head of UWL’s Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP), Professor Graeme Atherton, gave a stimulating lecture addressing poverty, inequality and the political importance of levelling up.
-
Researchers from UWL School of Computing and Engineering win British Council grant
Collaborating researchers from UWL’s School of Computing and Engineering and the Prince Sultan University in Saudi Arabia have received a £43,000 grant from the British Council’s UK Saudi Challenge Fund.
-
Meet Dr Jen Mayer, new Head of the School of Human and Social Sciences
SHSS is a vibrant, multidisciplinary school that brings together disciplines, including criminology, psychology, education, addiction studies, nutritional therapy, sociology, international relations and forensic science.
-
The expanding frontiers of genomic and proteomic technologies
The University of West London’s Professor of Microbiology, Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan, was one of the organisers of the 22nd International Conference on ‘The expanding frontiers of genomic and proteomic technologies’.
-
Oxford College seminar discusses the future of levelling up
The Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP), a UWL research centre, held an event - ‘the Future of Levelling Up’, examining progress in tackling regional inequality - at Ruskin College, Oxford on Thursday 11 May.
-
Meet Professor Aude Bicquelet-Lock, UWL’s new Director of Research and Development
UWL's new Director of Research and Development, Aude Bicquelet-Lock, discusses the rich potential of the University's research environment.
-
Ealing social work students take on three-day charity challenge
Doing their bit for their community, social work students in Ealing have raised more than £2,000 to support refugees after throwing themselves into days of fundraising across the borough.
-
Transformative Policing Institute launches in West London
The University of West London (UWL) has launched its new Institute for Policing Studies to continue its commitment to training and educating forces across London.
-
Covid hygiene could help fight antibacterial resistance
Keeping up Covid-levels of hygiene awareness long-term could help tackle the spread of deadly antimicrobial resistance, according to new research from the University of West London (UWL) and Royal Holloway University of London.
-
Far-right extremism is a growing threat, says UWL expert
The UK must be alert to far-right extremism infiltrating the police and armed forces to prevent the spread of harmful ideologies, a security expert has warned.
-
Lecturer wins research fellowship for using AI to tackle city flooding
A UWL researcher will use artificial intelligence to reduce flood risks in the UK and across the world – drastically improving quality of life for residents thanks to a prestigious funding grant.
-
Education vital in ‘levelling up’ UK inequalities post-Covid, report finds
Addressing inequality across the Midlands and north of England needs to focus on providing better, local learning opportunities and move away from talking about social mobility as we emerge from Covid-19 restrictions, a report has found.
-
Ealing Food Lab stars in C5 documentary
A food product development centre based at the University of West London in Ealing has featured in Channel 5 documentary looking at the secrets of supermarket food.
-
Including online interactions may slow memory decline, study finds
Regularly communicating with friends and family online as well as in person can help maintain long-term memory among older people, according to a study by the UWL's Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory, and the University of Manchester.
-
Expert looks back on using forensics to catch a killer
Decades after helping catch the Camden Ripper with innovative forensic techniques, a UWL forensics expert and former police officer has relived his part in the investigation for a TV documentary.
-
UWL lecturer showcases the place of women in STEM
Making sure no girl feels excluded from a future in science, a University of West London (UWL) diversity champion is drawing on her own experiences to inspire the next generation of trailblazers.
-
Student's work helps to combat human trafficking in aviation
Research undertaken by a University of West London (UWL) student is now being used by an influential not-for-profit organisation to fight the business of slavery in the aviation industry.
-
UWL celebrates its research community making a real difference to society, science and the economy
From cyber monitoring and artificial intelligence, to monitoring the health of ancient trees, this year’s School of Computing and Engineering Research Showcase highlighted the fascinating topics explored at the University of West London (UWL).
-
UWL honorary academic recognised by the Queen
An honorary academic at University of West London (UWL), Professor Zenobia Nadirshaw, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list for her services to people with learning disabilities and mental health treatment.