Chapter 4: Divorce-Related Malicious Mother Syndrome

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Part I
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The present section provides a beginning definition of the Divorce-Related Malicious Mother Syndrome, which has been derived from clinical and legal cases. As in all initial proposals, it is anticipated that future research will lead to greater refinement in the taxonomic criteria. The proposed definition encompasses four major criteria, as follows:

1. A mother who unjustifiably punishes her divorcing or divorced husband by:
a. Attempting to alienate their mutual children from the father
b. Involving others in malicious actions against the father
c. Engaging in excessive litigation

2. The mother specifically attempts to deny her child (ren)
a. Regular uninterrupted visitation with the father
b. Uninhibited telephone access to the father
c. Paternal participation in the child(ren)’s school life and curricular activities

3. The pattern is pervasive and includes malicious acts towards the husband including:
a. Lying to the children
b. Lying to others
c. Violations of law

4. The disorder is not specifically due to another mental disorder, although a separate mental disorder may co-exist.

These behaviors, if successful, could lead a child to not only hate the father, but perhaps go years without seeing him. The goal of the alienator is crystalline: to deprive the lost parent, not only of the child’s time, but also of the time of childhood.
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