NCJ Number
157540
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1995) Pages: 253-264
Date Published
1995
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper defines the Divorce Related Malicious Mother Syndrome as an important social phenomenon that affects children, parents, attorneys, judges, guardians, mental health professionals, and others.
Abstract
The syndrome's definition encompases four major criteria: (1) mother who unjustifiably punishes her divorcing or divorced husband by attempting to alienate children from the father, involving others in malicious actions against the father, or engaging in excessive litigation; (2) mother who specifically attempts to deny her children regular visitation with and access to the father; (3) pervasive pattern of malicious acts against the husband that include lying to the children and others and violating the law; and (4) disorder that is not specifically due to another mental disorder, although a separate mental disorder may coexist. Clinical examples of the Divorce Related Malicious Mother Syndrome are detailed, and clinical, legal, and scientific issues associated with the syndrome are noted. 27 references