A woman sitting on a bench with two children
A woman sitting on a bench with two children

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.

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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.

Ben Hine is smiling and wearing a beige/white striped shirt.

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.

A mother and a father holding hands with two children while walking along a dirt path

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.

A man clasping his hands together

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.

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