Parental Alienation International

Advancing worldwide understanding in the field of parental alienation

www.pasg.info

November 2021 Parental Alienation Study Group Volume 6 • Issue 6


Collecting Children’s Drawings pg 4


Post Graduate Award in Parental
Alienation Studies pg 5


Parental Alienation Research Study
Available on Amazon pg 6


The Role of Parent Education
Programs pg 7


Recent Publications pg 9
November 2021 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Volume 6 • Issue 6

News About PASG

3 Editorial: Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Mandy Matthewson

4 We are Collecting Children’s Drawings

By Dr William Bernet

5 World First Academically Accredited Post Graduate Award in Parental Alienation Studies
By Brian O’Sullivan and Dr Charlie Azzopardi

6 Parental Alienation Research Study Available on Amazon

By Jan James

Columns

7 Diversion Programs: The Role of Parent Education Programs

By Mary Alvarez and Chris Turner

9 Recent Publications
Compiled by Robert Ferrer

Departments

13 Contact Information for PASG Officers and PAI Editors

14 About the Parental Alienation Study Group

14 About Parental Alienation International

Cover Photo by Madison Kaminski • Unsplash

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 2 www.pasg.info
 E D I T O R I A L

Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year

By Mandy Matthewson

WELCOME TO THE LAST ISSUE of the Parental Alienation International for 2021.

This issue of the PAI begins with an update on the interesting project Dr Bernet and colleagues are
conducting exploring the artwork of alienated children. If you have samples to share, please contact
Dr Bernet.

We have exciting news about a world first academically accredited Post Graduate Award in Parental
Alienation Studies. The Graduate Certificate of Parental Alienation Studies is a collaboration between
the Institute of Family Therapy in Malta and Parental Alienation Europe. The inaugural program has seen
enrolments from around the world and an international team of lecturers.

Good Egg Safety conducted a research project on the experience of targeted parents. They have pub-
lished the outcomes of their research in the publication Parental Alienation UK Study and Survival Guide.
Details of how to access this important publication are included in this issue of the PAI. Thank you, Jan
James and her team, for conducting this important work.

Dr Alvarez and Ms Turner present preliminary data on their recent pilot program – Resetting the Family.
They have made some poignant observations described in their column.

The Recent Publication Column is full of new and exciting publications.

In my last editorial, I promised a feature article on PASG 2021 and an exciting announcement about the
next PASG conference. I’m afraid the wait for these will be a little longer. Stay tuned…

I hope you enjoy the November issue of the PAI.

Stay safe and well over the holiday period. Best wishes to you all. 

Find PASG on Facebook

You can find PASG on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentalAlienationStudyGroup/

Visit our Facebook page, become a friend, and write a comment.

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 3 www.pasg.info
 NEW ABOUT PASG
N E W S A B O U T P A S G
We are Collecting Children’s Drawings
WeByare Collecting Children’s Drawings
Dr William Bernet
By Dr William Bernet

MOST CHILDREN LOVE to draw. They readily express their inner feelings, opinions, and perceptions of
MOST CHILDREN LOVE to draw. They readily express their inner feelings, opinions, and
relationships through their artwork. My colleagues and I are collecting drawings made by alienated children.
perceptions of relationships through their artwork. My colleagues and I are collecting drawings
We made
believe by
alienated children
alienated will have
children. Wedistinct methods
believe for displaying
alienated childrentheir thoughts
will have and feelings,
distinct such as for
methods
worries, unhappiness, confusion, and loyalty conflicts. They are likely to reveal their
displaying their thoughts and feelings, such as worries, unhappiness, confusion, and feelings about their
loyalty
parents and siblings.
conflicts. They are likely to reveal their feelings about their parents and siblings.
Here is a very unhappy drawing by a 10-year-old girl, who was alienated from her father. She also wrote a little
storyHere
to goiswith
a very
theunhappy
drawing…drawing by a 10-year-old girl, who was alienated from her father. She also
wrote a little story to go with the drawing …

T h is story is ca lled H e a n d S h e
a n d th e K id s . S h e h a d th e K id s .
S h e g a ve th e k id s to H im . T h e
K i d s d i d n ’t w a n t t o g o . H e g a v e
th e K id s ba ck . S h e h a d th e K id s .
S h e g a ve th e K id s to H e. T h e n ext
d a y H e took th e K id s . H e g ot s h ot
b y a t a n k . T h e k id s liv ed h a p p ily
ev er a fter w ith S h e.
The End

If you want to participate in this project, please send me drawings made by alienated children. We
will reproduce some of them in Parental Alienation International. My colleagues and I may use
some
If you wantoftothem as examples
participate of children’s
in this project, please artwork in journalmade
send me drawings articles or presentations
by alienated children. at
Weprofessional
will
meetings. If you want to help, contact me at william.bernet@vumc.org.
reproduce some of them in Parental Alienation International. My colleagues and I may use some of them as
examples of children’s artwork in journal articles or presentations at professional meetings. If you want to help,
contact me at william.bernet@vumc.org. 

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 4 www.pasg.info
 Studies
By Brian O’Sullivan and Dr. Charlie Azzopardi
N E W S A B O U T P A S G

WE ARE DELIGHTED to report a collaboration between the Institute of Family Therapy in

World
Malta:First(https://www.ift-malta.com/)
Academically Accreditedand Post Graduate
Parental Award in
Alienation Europe
Parental Alienation Studies
(www.parentalalienation.eu) . We have designed and are currently delivering the first
By academically accredited
Brian O’Sullivan Post Graduate
and Dr. Charlie Award in Parental Alienation Studies in the world.
Azzopardi

WE ARE DELIGHTED to report a collaboration between the Institute of Family Therapy in Malta:
(https://www.ift-malta.com/)
This is the first and onlyand Parentalof
program Alienation
its type Europe (www.parentalalienation.eu).
in the world. Further information Wecanhave designed
be found
andhere
are currently delivering the first academically accredited Post Graduate Award in Parental
https://parentalalienation.eu/post-graduate-award-in-parental-alienation-studies/ Alienation
and
Studies
here:inhttps://www.ift-malta.com/pgc1-post-graduate-certificate-in-parental-alienation-studies/
the world.

This is the first and only program of its type in the world. Further information can be found here
https://parentalalienation.eu/post-graduate-award-in-parental-alienation-studies/ and here:
The program is accredited by Malta’s Further and Higher Education Authority and is therefore,
https://www.ift-malta.com/pgc1-post-graduate-certificate-in-parental-alienation-studies/
academically validated throughout Europe. Learners will receive a Post Graduate Certificate
Thefrom
program is accredited
the Maltese StatebyDepartment
Malta’s Further and Higher
of Higher and Education Authority on
Further Education andGraduation.
is, therefore, academically
validated throughout Europe. Learners will receive a Post Graduate Certificate from the Maltese State
Department of Higher and Further Education on Graduation.

TheThe content
content of theofcourse
the course covers
covers the mainthe main
areas areasin of
of study studyAlienation
Parental in Parental Alienation
including including
clinical/intervention,
clinical/intervention,
legal, academic and research.legal, academic
This course anddelivered
is being research. This coursein the
by practitioners is field
beinganddelivered by
therefore contains
practitioners
experiential in the field and therefore contains experiential learning.
learning.

The first cycle of this program commenced with professionals from Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand,
Malta, Iceland, Russia, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland.
The first cycle of this program commenced with professionals from Hong Kong, Australia,
New Zealand,
Interested Malta,
parties can Iceland,
simply Russia,
click the Canada,
sign-up tab here:United Kingdom and Ireland.
https://www.ift-malta.com/pgc1-post-graduate-certificate-in-parental-alienation-studies/
for Interested parties can simply
the course commencing click the
in September sign-up tab here: https://www.ift-malta.com/pgc1-post-
2022.
graduate-certificate-in-parental-alienation-studies/ for the course commencing in September
2022.
Brian O’Sullivan Co-founder of www.parentalalienation.eu

Dr. Charlie Azzopardi, Director of https://www.ift-malta.com/ 

Brian O’Sullivan Co-founder of www.parentalalienation.eu

Dr. Charlie Azzopardi, Director of (https://www.ift-malta.com/)

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 5 www.pasg.info
SEE THE INFORMATION below regarding
N E W S A B O U T
the ParentalP Alienation
A S G
UK Study and Survival
Guide.
Parental Alienation Research Study Available on Amazon
ThisByisJan
theJames
report of a research project conducted in the United Kingdom, which demonstrates
how parental alienation affects thousands of children and families. It is beautifully presented,
withSEE
general information below
THE INFORMATION aboutregarding
parental alienation
the Parental as well
Alienation as the
UK Study and research results. It mainly
Survival Guide.
pertains
This istothethe United
report Kingdom
of a research projectbut is applicable
conducted to other
in the United countries
Kingdom, as well. how parental
which demonstrates
alienation affects thousands of children and families. It is beautifully presented, with general information about
Thisparental
reportalienation
was produced byresearch
as well as the a non-profit organization
results. It mainly called
pertains to the UnitedGood Egg
Kingdom Safety.
but is applicableYou
to can
other countries as well.
purchase the report from Amazon or directly from Good Egg Safety.
This report was produced by a non-profit organization called Good Egg Safety. You can purchase the report
The from
Research
AmazonReport : https://parentalalienationuk.info/our-report/
or directly from Good Egg Safety.

The Research Report: https://parentalalienationuk.info/our-report/

Survival Guide: https://parentalalienationuk.info/the-survival-guide-to-pa/
Survival Guide: https://parentalalienationuk.info/the-survival-guide-to-pa/

Thanks forforyour
Thanks support!
your support!

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 6 www.pasg.info
 I N T E R V E N T I O N S C O L U M N

Diversion Programs: The Role of Parent

Education Programs
By Mary Alvarez and Chris Turner

THE EARLY INTERVENTION and Prevention Committee of PASG has

Mary Alvarez begun discussing key questions such as: 1) will early educational intervention Chris Turner
with a family, even with intact families, decrease the intensity and perhaps
even significantly reduce or even eliminate the behaviors of alienating parents;
2) can the governing authorities, whether law enforcement, the judiciary, or child welfare professionals recog-
nize these behaviors as domestic violence and child abuse and enforce the laws governing these offensives;
and 3) can mental health and school personnel be instrumental in recognizing alienation and assisting with
early intervention?

In most jurisdictions, parties in family law cases involving children are required to participate in parent edu-
cation classes which focus on the best interests of the child. The intent of the law is admirable and just, but the
enforcement of the law in these cases is ineffectual as the diversity in materials, focus, and modes of presenta-
tion combined with inconsistent adherence to the mandate, all contribute to missing the mark with respect to
the best interests of the child.

What if parents were required to be educated of the negative psychological and neurodevelopmental conse-
quences of parental alienating behaviors at the time of their initial divorce? Or if mental health professionals
can learn to detect the early underpinnings and parental alienating behavior and dynamics when the family is
intact, but there is much parental discord and conflict, and one parent is already using alienation tactics to align
the child with him/her?

A key missing factor in cases of alleged parental alienation is the inability of the courts to intervene in these
cases prior to a determination of parental alienation. This inability of the court to intervene exists partly due to
the judicial process itself and partly due to lack of education about the frequency of parental alienation in high
conflict family law cases such that a judge or amicus attorney can preemptively examine whether or not paren-
tal alienation is a factor at the beginning of a case rather than months or even years into a case.

Parental alienating behaviors have been identified as intimate partner violence and psychological child abuse.
As a result, violations of the court orders and enforcements are often unanswered by the judiciary simply
because one party, who is at a disadvantage in this imbalance of power, is reacting as a victim and is fearful
of pushing the alienating parent further by filing enforcements, for example. Utilizing research to educate the
judiciary about parental behaviors associated with alienation could prove to be empowering to the target parent,
as well as preventative with respect to the impact on the child. Unfortunately, the family court system is left to
make decisions they are not equipped or educated to make.

Although empirical studies related to mild and moderate parental alienation are limited, programs to address
the mild to moderate cases of parental alienation have been created based upon existing research findings,
nonetheless. It is hopeful that the outcome data of these early intervention programs will validate the efficacy of
early intervention in families through education, as well as provide a better understanding of the psychopathol-
ogy of parents who engage in alienation tactics that result in mild and/or moderate alienation. Understanding
how educating the judiciary and family law attorneys impacts the trajectory of these high conflict cases through
the legal system is also important to evaluate.

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 7 www.pasg.info
 In a recent pilot program in Brazoria County, Texas, Resetting the Family, PLLC (RTF) intervened in family
law modification cases in which a change in custody was requested and it was alleged that the child was refus-
ing or resisting contact with one parent. These cases were referred to an early intervention program which has
been labelled a diversion program. Parents and children participated in separate educational programs aimed at
educating parents about the deleterious developmental effects of parents trying to interfere in the other parent-
child relationship, as well as helping parents learn the skills necessary to navigate high conflict. The focus for
the children was to help them recover any impacted cognitive processing skills, such as critical thinking skills,
problem-solving skills, and perception.

The preliminary data related to the parents suggest that parents with no underlying significant psychopathology
may actively engage in mild alienation tactics not because they want to destroy the other parent, but because
they simply don’t understand the psychological and neurodevelopmental consequences to children when one
parent tries to influence the child’s relationship with the other parent. It appears that education regarding the
impact of these behaviors on their children serves as an effective corrective measure.

However, parents with more significant psychopathology are unable to correct their behavior with educational
intervention and tend to escalate the alienation process regardless. These diversion model family law test cases
will continue to be followed longitudinally to document the 2- and 5-year legal actions to understand better the
efficacy of early educational interventions for both mild and moderate alienation families through monitoring
new litigation filings.

Ongoing education of the professionals involved in these family law cases must also continue.

Over the past two years during this early intervention work, several factors have been noted by Resetting the
Family regarding participants in family law cases referred to the diversion program:

1. A
 ttorneys whose primary goal is litigation do not change their intent to vigorously litigate despite the
known psychological and neurodevelopment damage to a child who experiences toxic stress created by
parental alienation. Unfortunately, we have discovered that our diversion program is often used as yet
another tool for “winning” in the litigation process, thereby increasing the cost and time of the case, as
well as collateral damage to all parties involved.

2. P
 rograms aimed at decreasing the incidences and frequencies of parental alienation tactics are most
effective with cases that are not in current litigation.

3. S
 ubsequent to the educational and didactic elements of RTF, better outcomes for identified mild and
moderate alienation cases occur when utilizing a case management model to address ongoing con-
cerns, specifically interparty communications, as well as focusing on parent-child relationship recovery
and parent conflict resolution skills.

4. E
 ducating mental health professionals is not only critical, but requires more than a few hours of con-
tinuing education in parental alienation. Involving such professionals in these at-risk families, but with
ongoing professional mentoring until the clinician can manage these families is something that RTF
does, as well, because the counter-intuitiveness of these high conflict families proves challenging for
mental health providers. 

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 8 www.pasg.info
 R E C E N T P U B L I C A T I O N S

Compiled by Robert Ferrer, PASG Archivist

IN THIS SECTION, ROBERT FERRER, PASG Archivist, provides citations and abstracts for recently published
articles related to parental alienation. The citations are entered into the searchable Parental Alienation Database,
also accessible from the PASG website. Many citations will provide access to the full-text version of the
article. To have an article considered for this section, email Robert Ferrer at r-ferrer@illinois.edu

Comment, POST-SEPARATION PARENT-CHILD CONTACT PROBLEMS:

UNDERSTANDING A CHILD’S REJECTION OF A PARENT AND
INTERVENTIONS BEYOND CUSTODY REVERSAL
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/asGCCk8vzVfOq7MRwH9Na3_?domain=1drv.ms
By: Marissa Mallon. Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Vol. 33, 2021.
Pgs. 609-643, 36p.
Abstract: This ‘Comment’ will describe what parental alienation is and ways courts can address parental
alienation to improve the child’s relationship with both parents.
Subjects: Contact Problems; Parent Child Rejection; Custody; Interventions; Legal

Note from R. Ferrer: William Bernet writes about his latest article below. “My new article, published online
today, pertains to misinformation regarding parental alienation. Although the manifest subject is the narrow
topic of parental alienation, the deeper and more pervasive message pertains to a lack of scholarship and
integrity among authors, editors, and publishers. This article contains 40 examples of the same misinformation.
I have continued my search of the mental health and legal literature, and now have almost 80 examples. When
I get to 80, I am going to take a rest. But I have arranged for an experienced graphics person to figure out how
to show in a diagram how the misinformation flowed through the years from one author to the next to the next.
I hope to feature the graphic portrayal in a follow-up article.

Recurrent Misinformation Regarding Parental Alienation Theory

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GVDnClxwAVH2zyB3Mf147NS?domain=1drv.ms
By: William Bernet. The American Journal of Family Therapy. Sept. 24, 2021. 22p.
DOI: 10.1080/01926187.2021.1972494
Abstract: Misinformation regarding parental alienation theory has been published many times in journals
and books since the 1980s. This article discusses a specific example of misinformation, i.e., variations of the
statement: Parental alienation theory assumes that the favored parent has caused parental alienation in the child
simply because the child refuses to have a relationship with the rejected parent, without identifying or proving
alienating behaviors by the preferred parent. This is an unusual phenomenon, i.e., the same misinformation
was found in journal articles, books, and presentations by critics of parental alienation 40 times between 1994
and 2020. This trail of recurrent misinformation is not trivial; it is a major misrepresentation of basic tenets of
parental alienation theory. The article concludes with action items, including the proposal that these false state-
ments should be corrected and/or the journal articles should be withdrawn from publication.
Subjects: Parental alienation; parental alienation theory; misinformation; disinformation; Richard Gardner;
Critics

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 9 www.pasg.info
 A ALIENAÇÃO PARENTAL COMO COSMOLOGIA VIOLENTA
PARENTAL ALIENATION AS VIOLENT COSMOLOGY
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/KKc-CmOxBVhjRZm7MCDSi5v?domain=1drv.ms
By: Bruna Barbieri Waquim and Bruno Amaral Machado. Revista Opinião Jurídica
(Journal Juridical Opinion). R. Opin. Jur., Fortaleza (Legal Opinion Magazine (Fortaleza))
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/BA58CnxyDVH76zJ1WUp7-3w?domain=periodicos.unichristus.edu.br.
Vol 19, No. 32. Sept/Dec 2021. Pgs. 202-227, 26p. doi:10.12662/2447-6641oj.v19i32.p202-227.2021
(Brazilian Portuguese)
Abstract:
Goal: This article proposes to discuss the possible correlations between the Parental Alienation process and
the process of violence, in order to explore its possible theoretical implications, as well as to raise awareness
about the damage that the naturalization of the first practice and the internalization of its effects can cause to the
vulnerable public of children and adolescents.
Method: From the methodology of bibliographic survey and questionnaire application, we seek to explore
the concepts brought by radical interactionism (Athens), such as ghost community and violence, along the
lines proposed by Ceretti and Lorenzo, with the practice of Parental Alienation described by Brazilian law No.
12.318/2010.
Originality: Parental Alienation has been expressly described as psychological violence in Brazil since the
enactment of Law No. 13.431/2017, but no previous works that have explored the process of violence presented
here in the analysis of Parental Alienation were found.
Results: The bibliographical review undertaken showed the proximity between the process of violence de-
scribed by Athens and the consequences caused by the process of Parental Alienation within the family, through
which a child or adolescent apprehends a reference of abusive behavior that will affect their adult life, which
was suggested by exploratory empirical research, presented in the article.
Theoretical contributions: This article reinforces the risky nature of the act of Parental Alienation. In addi-
tion, it broadens the range of its analysis by the Institutions of the Justice System and demonstrates the need for
the theme to be included in the scope of Public Policies in the field of family and children and youth.
Contributions: Given that there is currently a campaign for the repeal of the Parental Alienation Law, the arti-
cle points to the need to maintain Law No. 12,318/2010, given the demonstration of the complex phenomenon
of violence included in this practice, which is a potential for intergenerational transmission.
Subjects: Parental Alienation; Child and teenager; Symbolic interactionism; Violentization

What Does it Mean to be a Targeted Parent? Parents’ Experiences in the

Context of Parental Alienation
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/uov1CoVzE9HrKM71wt7NXSK?domain=1drv.ms
By: Ana Tavares, Carla Crespo, and Maria Teresa Ribeiro. Journal of Child and Family Studies (2021)
30:1370–1380, 11p. 12 February 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01914-6
Abstract: The term parental alienation refers to the negative influence of one parent over a child’s perception
of the other parent (targeted parent). The aim of this research was to gain further understanding of targeted
parents’ experience of parental alienation from their own perspectives. For this qualitative study, a thematic
analysis of semi-structured interviews with eight participants aged between 33 and 51 years was conducted. The

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 10 www.pasg.info
 data from individual semi-structured interviews enabled the identification of four main themes: perception of
personal impact, coping strategies, family relationships and support network. Parents identified a serious im-
pairment of their physical and emotional well-being and mainly identified emotion focused coping strategies to
deal with this adverse ongoing situation. Furthermore, they reported changes in key relationships, with empha-
sis on difficulties in family and social contexts. The contribution of the findings to research and interventions
with parents and families experiencing parental alienation are discussed.
Highlights
• Targeted parents report negative mental health outcomes.
• In terms of coping, targeted parents report more emotional-focused than problem-focused strategies.
• Changes in family and social support in the context of parental alienation can be detrimental to
targeted parents’ wellbeing.
• Multi-systemic interventions can be beneficial for improving targeted parents’ well-being and
family relationships.
Subjects: Targeted parent; Parental alienation; Coping; Family relationships; Support network

Note from R. Ferrer: The next two articles from the same author correlate MMPI-2 profiles with those en-
gaging in Parental Alienation. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is a 567
item, true/false self-report measure of a person’s psychological state. It has nine validity scales (or ‘lie’ scales),
assessing for lying, defensiveness, faking good and faking bad and among others. These scales make it very
difficult to fake the MMPI-2 results. The MMPI-2-RF aids clinicians in the assessment of mental disorders,
identification of specific problem areas, and treatment planning in a variety of settings. The test can be used to
help: Assess major symptoms of psychopathology, personality characteristics and behavioral proclivities. In a
study conducted by Siegel and Langford in 1998 (American Journal of Forensic Psychology, Volume 16,
Number 4, 1998, p.5, https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/DGGxCp8AG6fnxGjJwFxGUNa?domain=1drv.ms),
it was concluded that parents who engage in alienating behaviors are more likely than other parents to use the
psychological defenses of denial and projection, which are associated with this validity scale pattern. These
2021 articles provide additional insights.

MMPI-2 Profiles of Mothers Engaged in Parental Alienation

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/mt84Cq7BJXt87Dpx2UpMa5X?domain=1drv.ms
By: Paolo Roma, Daniela Marchetti, Cristina Mazza, Franco Burla, and Maria Cristina Verrocchio. Journal of
Family Issues (2021), Vol. 42(4) 722–740, 19p. April 1, 2021. DOI: 10.1177/0192513X20918393
Abstract: Parental alienation (PA) describes a family dynamic in which a parent engages in behaviors that
are likely to foster a child’s unjustified rejection of the other parent. PA is considered a particular form of child
psychological maltreatment with both short- and long-term negative consequences. Parents who attempt to turn
a child against the other parent in cases of separation/divorce can be difficult to identify. Increasing our under-
standing of the personality features of these parents via psychological assessment may enable us to identify
PA more quickly following the onset of abuse. In the present study, the personality characteristics of mothers
engaging in PA were examined through a comparative analysis of MMPI-2 profiles. The results indicated that
alienating mothers presented higher moral virtue and extroversion. They were more vulnerable to interpersonal
stress and they demonstrated unsuccessful self-representation. The findings provide a preliminary model for
understanding the profile of mothers who engage in PA.
Subjects: parental alienation, MMPI-2, preferred parent, alienating parent, child custody disputes, personality
features
Parental Alienation Study Group
November 2021 11 www.pasg.info
 A Comparison of MMPI-2 Profiles Between Parental Alienation Cases
and Custody Cases
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/FLJSCr8DKNf8Dp5zmU3J6fr?domain=1drv.ms
By: Paolo Roma, Daniela Marchetti, Cristina Mazza, Eleonora Ricci, Lilybeth Fontanesi, and Maria Cristina
Verrocchio. Journal of Child and Family Studies (2021) 11p. 26 August 2021
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02076-1
Abstract: The present study aimed at understanding the personality features of mothers and fathers engaged in
parental alienation—a family dynamic in which one parent behaves in a way that foments a child’s unfounded
emotional rejection of the other parent. The process is considered a complex form of child psychological mal-
treatment, with significant negative consequences. In cases of conflictual separation and divorce, parental alien-
ation can be difficult—yet important—to identify. In this context, use of psychological assessment to under-
stand parents’ personality characteristics may facilitate the early identification of parental alienation and related
abuses. A comparative analysis of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 profiles of 41 couples en-
gaged in parental alienation and 39 control couples (i.e., not involved in parental alienation) was used to assess
the personality characteristics of mothers and fathers engaged in parental alienation. The results indicated that
mothers who were classified as alienating presented a faking-good defensive profile, denied hostile and negative
impulses, blamed others for their problems, and displayed excessive sensitivity. On the other side, fathers who
were classified as targets of alienating behaviors were adapted to chronic depressive states, social isolation, and
interpersonal conflict. The results suggest that the personality profile of parents involved in parental alienation
may provide useful insight for custodial cases, prevent further abuse, and contribute to improving psychological
and rehabilitative programs. Clinical and forensic implications are discussed.
Highlights
• Parental alienation is a complex form of family violence/maltreatment, with significant negative
consequences.
• Mothers classified as alienating showed a faking-good defensive profile, denied negative impulses,
and blamed others for their problems.
• Fathers classified as targeted showed depressive states, social isolation, and interpersonal conflict.
Subjects: Parental alienation; Alienating behaviors; Child custody disputes; Divorced parents; MMPI-2 

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Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 12 www.pasg.info
 Contact Information for PASG Officers and PAI Editors
Mailing Address Editor-in-Chief
1313 Twenty-First Avenue South Mandy Matthewson, Ph.D.
209 Oxford House Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Nashville, TN 37232, USA mandy.matthewson@utas.edu.au

Board of Directors Managing Editor

William Bernet, M.D., President Amanda Sillars
Nashville, Tennessee, USA Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
william.bernet@vumc.org amanda.sillars@emmm.org.au

Amy J. L. Baker, Ph.D., Secretary Column Editors

New York, New York, USA Cindy Hirsch
amyjlbaker@aol.com Editor: Targeted Parents’ Column
California, USA
Phillip Hendrix, M.A., M.B.A., Treasurer clhcindy@aim.com
Castle Rock, Colorado, USA
info@covenantcounselors.com Mary Alvarez, Ph.D.
Editor: Interventions Column
J. Michael Bone, Ph.D. Texas, USA
Winter Park, Florida, USA dralvarez@resetting-the-family.com
michael@jmichaelbone.com
Chris Turner
Sietske Dijkstra, Ph.D. Editor: Interventions Column
Utrecht, The Netherlands Texas, USA
fran.dijkstra@gmail.com cturner@resetting-the-family.com

Jennifer Harman, Ph.D. Brian Ludmer

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Editor: Legal Column
Jennifer.Harman@ColoState.edu Toronto, Canada
Brian@ludmerlaw.com
Lena Hellblom Sjögren, Ph.D.
Siljansnäs, Sweden
mail@testimonia.se Book Review Editor
Abe Worenklein, Ph.D.
Ashish S. Joshi, L.L.M. Montreal, Canada
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA abew@videotron.ca
a.joshi@joshiattorneys.com
Events Editor
Abe Worenklein, Ph.D. Vivian Arber, M.P.S., P.M.P.
Montreal, Canada Los Angeles, California, USA
abew@videotron.ca Adr4solutions@gmail.com

PASG Archivist
Robert Ferrer
Urbana, Illinois, USA
r-ferrer@illinois.edu

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 13 www.pasg.info
 About the Parental Alienation Study Group
Parental Alienation Study Group, Inc. (PASG) is an international, not-for-profit corporation. PASG has over
800 members—mostly mental health and legal professionals—from 62 countries. The members of PASG are
interested in educating the general public, mental health clinicians, forensic practitioners, attorneys, and judges
regarding parental alienation. PASG members are also interested in developing and promoting research on the
causes, prevention, evaluation, and treatment of parental alienation.

About Parental Alienation International

Parental Alienation International (PAI) is published bimonthly by PASG. PAI seeks to lead and promote the
scholarly discussion and debate concerning parental alienation practice, research, prevention, education, and
advocacy to promote development of informed practice and policy in this field.

Contributor Guidelines Contributors may submit articles or links to articles

How to contribute: Please send all your
contributions to the editor-in-chief.
Format: Submit manuscript as a Word file (.doc,
.docx) as an email attachment. Use 12-point Times
New Roman font, single spaced.
Content: News, case studies, pilot studies,
literature reviews, announcements, research,
research studies or proposals, advocacy, publicity,
promotion, requests for support or funding.
Editorial Policy: Articles may be subject to editing.
Authors will be consulted and will be sent their
final article for proofing and approval prior to
publication.
The editorial team may solicit information and ar-
ticles for publication and will appropriately consult
contributors about the article to be prepared based
upon their contribution.
that are already published or considered elsewhere.
It is the responsibility of contributors to obtain the
necessary permission where required to submit their
article to Parental Alienation International and to
appropriately acknowledge prior publication.
PASG retains the final decision of the suitability
of articles and which articles are selected for
publication in Parental Alienation International.
Advertising and Editorial
PASG will maintain differentiation between
advertising content and editorial content. Parental
Alienation International will not publish
“advertorial” material.
Copyright © 2021 Parental Alienation Study Group
(PASG) Inc. All rights reserved. You are receiving
this newsletter because you are a member of PASG.

www.pasg.info

Parental Alienation Study Group

November 2021 14 www.pasg.info