Augul, there is no scale. The "diagnosis" is arrived at only through clinical interviews. You might read some of the recent literature, for example the recent special section of the July 2016 issue of Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, and Practices, Vol 13(2-3), and some other recent publications you can find on PsycNet. My sense of the literature is that there are much better ways to approach custody and parent-child relationships.

Editor’s note about the special section.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15379418.2016.1221270

By Geffner, Robert

Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, and Practices, Vol 13(2-3), Jul 2016, 111-112.

This editorial presents the current issue of Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, and Practices. This special section of commentaries came about for an unusual reason. When the first article was submitted for publication, the reviewers commented that it might not be worthy of publication because it was clear to them “parental alienation syndrome” or disorder (PAS/PAD) had been widely discredited and not accepted as a diagnosis by any classification system nor by any creditable professional organization. The reviewers went on to discuss the lack of peer reviewed research in over 25 years supporting such a disorder, and that it really had no use in family or other courts, but that this was now widely known. The commentaries in this section make it clear that there is no peer reviewed research supporting such a theory as PAS/PAD, they discuss several problematic issues and effects from different perspectives when such an approach is taken, and the harm to traumatized children that occurs when the recommendations promoted by authors are adopted by family courts. It is hoped that the commentaries in this section helps us get back to research and actual theories rather than junk science that can negatively affect traumatized children for years to come. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

When courts accept what science rejects: Custody issues concerning the alleged “parental alienation syndrome”.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15379418.2016.1219245

By Clemente, Miguel; Padilla-Racero, Dolores

Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, and Practices, Vol 13(2-3), Jul 2016, 126-133.

“Parental alienation syndrome” (PAS) is unscientific and is an affront to children, women who hold the custody of children of separated couples, science, human rights, and the justice system itself. Justice, to be just, should be based on scientifically proven theories and evidence. This article describes investigations carried out to show that two of the principles that underpin PAS are false: That children lie when pressed (alienated in the terminology of PAS), and that the principle that should guide judges’ actions for the good of the child should be that for the child to always be in contact with both parents. The results of these investigations show that these two principles are false and advocates the use of truly scientific proceedings for judges to grant custody in case of dispute between parents, as well as for determining the visitation for the noncustodial parent. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Recommended treatments for “parental alienation syndrome” (PAS) may cause children foreseeable and lasting psychological harm.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15379418.2016.1219974

By Dallam, Stephanie; Silberg, Joyanna L.

Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, and Practices, Vol 13(2-3), Jul 2016, 134-143.

The coercive and punitive “therapies” recommended for children diagnosed with parental alienation constitute an ethical minefield and are especially inappropriate when used on children who have already been traumatized. Forced reunification against a child’s will and without taking into consideration the child’s point of view and emotional well-being, can be expected to reinforce a sense of helplessness and powerlessness in an already vulnerable child. Such “treatment” can be expected to do more harm than good, and rather than helping their well-being, could cause lasting psychological harm, particularly when imposed upon children who claim the parent they are being forced to reunify with is abusive. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Examining the validity of parental alienation syndrome.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15379418.2016.1217758

By O'Donohue, William; Benuto, Lorraine T.; Bennett, Natalie

Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, and Practices, Vol 13(2-3), Jul 2016, 113-125.

“Parental alienation syndrome” (PAS) is a phrase first coined by Dr. Richard Gardner. Since its inception several scholars have reviewed and criticized this construct, and it has never been accepted by the scientific community as a legitimate scientific construct, as a syndrome or as a mental disorder. Despite its general rejection as unscientific, the construct of PAS at times continues to be used in legal settings as if it has an adequate foundation within science, clinical, or forensic practice. This commentary briefly reviews past critiques of PAS and describes several additional problems that have occurred with the use of this construct. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)

No way to turn: Traps encountered by many battered women with negative child custody experiences.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15379418.2016.1213114

By Saunders, Daniel G.; Oglesby, Katherine H.

Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, and Practices, Vol 13(2-3), Jul 2016, 154-177.

Women leaving violent relationships face many challenges and risks. A survivor with children may encounter even greater barriers in protecting herself and her children from an ex-partner. These barriers are especially insidious because they take the form of “no-win” situations or “traps.” If she stays she may be accused of “failing to protect” her children from violence and then faces more violence, yet leaving means facing the risk of stalking, harassment and more abuse. Reporting threats or violence to authorities or being reluctant to co-parent means she goes against the “friendly parent” standard used to award custody. She also risks being accused of making false allegations of abuse or being labeled as an “alienator,” causing “parental alienation syndrome” in her child. We illustrate such traps with survivors’ own words among those who experience very negative custody or visitation outcomes. Implications are made for professional practice and policy reform. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Commentary for “Examining the use of ‘parental alienation syndrome’”.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15379418.2016.1219244

By Shaw, Morgan

Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, and Practices, Vol 13(2-3), Jul 2016, 144-146.

This commentary is in response to the article, “Examining the use of ‘parental alienation syndrome,’” and provides useful information to individuals and institutions within both the mental health and legal fields. Further exploration of the concepts within Richard Gardner’s parental alienation syndrome (PAS) is important given the fact that PAS has no methodologically sound, peer-reviewed research and yet legal systems and mental health professionals continue to rely on it greatly in making very important legal decisions that affect the lives of many. While attorneys, judges, or clinicians may not say a child is suffering from PAS, or may never even use the term “alienating,” they still base their opinions and subsequent recommendations on Gardner’s concepts and ideology. Articles like this one hopefully bring light to these important areas and bring the focus back on what is in the best interest of the children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Another recent review:P arental alienation syndrome or alienating parental relational behaviour disorder: A critical overview.

By Siracusano, A.; Barone, Y.; Lisi, C.; Niolu, C.

Journal of Psychopathology / Giornale di Psicopatologia, Vol 21(3), Sep 2015, 231-238.

Objective: Parental alienation is very common in conflictual separations and is a serious problem in most parts of the world. In 50% of separations and in one-third of divorces a child under 18 is involved. One of the major problems in these cases is when children reject a parent after divorce. In conflictual separations a real psychopathology, defined as parental alienation syndrome (PAS) in 1985, can develop. In recent years, a growing interest in this syndrome has been seen in the international scientific community: several studies have been carried out and the necessity for a more accurate definition of PAS has been considered beneficial because courts, scientific and clinical practice are interested in this syndrome. In order to understand parental alienation better, our investigation aims to identify which findings in published studies may be useful to clinical practice involving both parents and children. Methods: Our study systematically reviewed all publications in the MEDLINE/ PubMed database searching for the terms "parental alienation", "parental alienation syndrome", or "parental alienation disease" as keywords. We included studies and books that were published online between 1985 and 2015, included original data or reviews and involved assessment and/or diagnosis and/ or treatment of PAS. This assessment will reveal strengths and weaknesses in the current PAS literature; moreover, we present suggestions for improving the refinement of the literature. Results: A total of 28 articles and books were appropriate for this review. The studies included raised many fundamental questions such as the scientific validity of PAS, the proposal of specific diagnostic criteria and the importance of an accurate diagnosis. Findings from studies that met inclusion criteria in our review are presented, suggesting new clinical perspectives and raising new questions concerning assessment and treatment. Conclusion: The theme of parental alienation is currently the subject of important research and debate. Based on the research carried out, we could state that parent alienation does not correspond to a "syndrome" or a specific individual psychic "disorder". It can better defined as a dysfunctional family relation model determined by the excluding or "alienating" parent, the excluded or "alienated" parent and the child, each member of this triad with his/her own responsibilities and contribution. The explanation of this disorder has its own validity, but thorough research to clarify its features, (e.g. duration and intensity of symptoms) should be conducted, otherwise it could be instrumentally used in litigations. Further systematic and large-scale studies of parental alienation are needed that take into account the issues discussed and proper objective diagnostic criteria should be defined for scrupulous diagnosis and valid treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Dear Augul, Thank you for asking the question which generated this discussion. I look forward to reading your research:)

Dear Hendrika, Thank you for your perspective on this topic :)

Dear Siriporn, Thank you for providing your perspective also and the relevant measurements:)

We have an ethical duty to stay abreast of all of the evidence-based research on this topic as there are millions of men, women and children who continue to endure significant trauma because of custody assignment bias in family courts which favours women more often than men. Although, women have experienced 'parental alienation' also.

For further reading...

Kruk, E. (2013). The equal parent presumption: Social justice in the legal determination of parenting after divorce. Montreal/Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Rand, D. C. (2011). Parental alienation critics and the politics of science. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 39(1), 48-71, doi:10.1080/01926187.2010.533085

Warshak, R. A. (2015). Ten parental alienation fallacies that compromise decisions in court and in therapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pro0000031. Retrieved from http://www.californiaparentingcoordinator.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Warshak-2015.pdf

Here is our take on this issue: