Parental Alienation: Science and Law. Edited By Demosthenes Lorandos and William Bernet

• Published date: 01 October 2021
• Author: Michael Saini,Leslie Drozd
• Date: 01 October 2021
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fcre.12560

PARENTAL ALIENATION: SCIENCE AND LAW. EDITED BY

DEMOSTHENES LORANDOS AND WILLIAM BERNET

Michael Saini and Leslie Drozd

Parental Alienation: Science and Law is a book that brings together known supporters of parental alienation theory to review

the definitions, prevalence, consequences and interventions for treating cases where parental alienation has been identified as

the dominant cause of parent-child contact problems. The book provides a review of published literature that favors parental

alienation theory and highlights topics and issues that are central to the promotion of parental alienation in the family courts.

The book is purposely written with the aim to educate about parental alienation and to debunk the detractors (including sec-

tions that specifically refute opposing claims).

Practitioner’sKeypoints:

•The book brings together members of the Parental Alienation Study Group, Inc (PASG) to present their collection of

concepts, research and ideas regarding parental alienation.

•The book introduces definitions of parental alienation that are used by all authors across chapters.

•The book provides suggestions for testifying experts to promote testimony regarding parental alienation.

•The book provides responses to those who have disregarded parental alienation as nothingmore thanrhetoric andjunk

science.

Keywords: Book Review; High Conflict; Parental Alienation; Parent-Child Contact Problems; Resist Refuse Dynamics;

Separation and Divorce.

Parental Alienation: Science and Law is a book that brings together known supporters of paren-

tal alienation theory to review the definitions, prevalence, consequences and interventions for

treating cases where parental alienation has been diagnosed and/or identified as the dominant cause

of parent–child contact problems.

The book provides a review of existing published literature in favor of parental alienation theory and

highlights topics and issues that are central to the promotion of parental alienation in the family courts.

The book is divided into two broad sections: (1) clinical considerations and research; and

(2) legal issues. In section one, there are six chapters devoted to definitions, assessment, indicators,

behaviors, and prevention. Specific claims are made regarding the state of the empirical evidence

and the recognition of parental alienation by professional organizations.

Chapter 1, entitled Introduction to Parental Alienation, is written by William Bernet, a professor

emeritus at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and founder and first president of the Parental

Alienation Study Group. Bernet introduces the reader to the topic of parental alienation by first pro-

viding a working definition for the book and highlights of the literature regarding symptoms, indica-

tors, causes, and consequences of parental alienation. Bernet situates parental alienation with the

broader context of the various types of parent–child contact problems where parental alienation is

considered the most abnormal and maladaptive form of contact problems. Bernet provides sugges-

tions about the roles of mental health and legal professionals in cases of parental alienation. The

chapter concludes with responses to opposing views that are characterized as misinformation.

Corresponding: michael.saini@utoronto.ca

FAMILY COURT REVIEW, Vol. 59 No. 4, October 2021 828–830, doi: 10.1111/fcre.12560

© 2021 Association of Family and Conciliation Courts