Parental alienation

Parental alienation is a theorized process through which a child becomes estranged from one parent as the result of the psychological manipulation of another parent.^[1][2] The child's estrangement may manifest itself as fear, disrespect or hostility toward the distant parent, and may extend to additional relatives or parties.^[3][4] The child's estrangement is disproportionate to any acts or conduct attributable to the alienated parent.^[5] Parental alienation can occur in any family unit, but is claimed to occur most often within the context of family separation, particularly when legal proceedings are involved,^[6] although the participation of professionals such as lawyers, judges and psychologists may also contribute to conflict.^[7]

Proponents of the concept of parental alienation assert that it is primarily motivated by one parent's desire to exclude the other parent from their child's life.^[8] Some assert that parental alienation should be diagnosable in children as a mental disorder.^[9] Some propose that parental alienation be recognized as a form of child abuse or family violence.^[2][10] They assert that parental alienation creates stress on the alienated parent and the child,^[11][12] and significantly increases the child's lifetime risk of mental illness.^[13][14][15]

Parental alienation remains controversial both within the psychological community and the legal system. The psychological community has not accepted parental alienation as a diagnosable mental condition.^[16] Critics note that alienating behaviors are common in high-conflict family situations such as child custody proceedings,^[17] but that the estrangement of a child from a parent remains rare.^[18] They assert that the research performed to date does not support the theory that parental alienation results in the harm described by proponents of the concept.^[19] They also express concern that a parent who has caused a child to become estranged, for example through acts of domestic violence or child abuse, may claim to be the victim of parental alienation to convince a court that the child's justified response to the abuse is the result of the other parent's misconduct and to potentially gain custody of the child.^[20] No diagnostic criteria have been established for parental alienation, and proposals made to date have not been established as reliable.^[19][21] No program of treatment has been demonstrated to be safe or valid,^[22] and proponents of parental alienation theory agree that more research into treatment is necessary.^[23]

The theory of parental alienation has been asserted within legal proceedings as a basis for awarding custody to a parent who alleges estrangement, or to modify custody in favor of that parent.^[24] Courts have generally rejected parental alienation as a valid scientific theory, but some courts have allowed the concept to be argued as relevant to the determination of the child's best interests when making a custody determination.^[25] Legal professionals recognize that alienating behaviors are common in child custody cases, but are cautious about accepting the concept of parental alienation.^[17]