Survey of Child Custody Evaluators
Parental alienation syndrome (PAS) is a phenomenon whereby a child is turned against one parent by the other parent, often but not always in the context of post divorce child custody conflict and litigation. Because PAS has been conceptualized as a form of emotional abuse, a study of it is consistent with the mission of the Vincent J Fontana Center for Child Protection. Since its introduction into the literature 20 years ago, the concept of PAS has been hotly debated and remains controversial to this day. In light of this controversy, the Fontana Center designed a study to examine the utilization of this concept by the front-line professionals making decisions about custody: child custody evaluators. Working closely with the Professional Academy of Child Custody Evaluators (PACE), the Fontana Center administered a survey to 141 PACE registered evaluators about their understanding and utilization of the concept of PAS. A high response rate was obtained and several notable findings were identified. Results are presented in Baker, A.J.L. (2007). Knowledge and attitudes about the parental alienation syndrome: A survey of custody evaluators. American Journal of Family Therapy, 35(1), 1-20.
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