Fathers’ Experiences of Relationship Breakdown Including Post-Separation Abuse and Parental Alienating Behaviours
Background: Family breakdown, separation, and divorce (FBSD) are often traumatic events, particularly for fathers who face unique challenges. These include emotional, psychological, and financial struggles, often exacerbated by abusive behaviours from ex-partners. This study explores fathers’ experi...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Benjamin Hine Eilish Mairi Roy Ching-Yu Huang Elizabeth Bates |
| author_facet | Benjamin Hine Eilish Mairi Roy Ching-Yu Huang Elizabeth Bates |
| author_sort | Benjamin Hine |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Family breakdown, separation, and divorce (FBSD) are often traumatic events, particularly for fathers who face unique challenges. These include emotional, psychological, and financial struggles, often exacerbated by abusive behaviours from ex-partners. This study explores fathers’ experiences of FBSD, focusing on both the breakdown event itself and any abuse, including coercive control and parental alienation, before and after the separation. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a survey of 141 men and follow-up interviews with 30 participants. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes related to FBSD and associated abuse. Results: Fathers reported significant emotional, psychological, and financial distress, with many experiencing ongoing abuse and coercive control after separation. Abuse often continued through legal processes and manipulation of child access. Parental alienation emerged as a prominent form of post-separation abuse, with fathers describing attempts by ex-partners to undermine their relationships with their children. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for gender-inclusive services that address the specific challenges fathers face during and after FBSD, particularly in relation to post-separation abuse. Targeted interventions are necessary to support fathers’ well-being and ensure their continued involvement in their children’s lives. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-33d822428bee4dcf9e2e28863aaa880f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-0760 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-33d822428bee4dcf9e2e28863aaa880f2025-01-24T13:49:43ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602025-01-011413110.3390/socsci14010031Fathers’ Experiences of Relationship Breakdown Including Post-Separation Abuse and Parental Alienating BehavioursBenjamin Hine0Eilish Mairi Roy1Ching-Yu Huang2Elizabeth Bates3School of Human and Social Sciences, Unviersity of West London, London W5 5RF, UKNational Crime Agency, London SE11 5EF, UKCambridge Alliance of Legal Psychology, London N14 5BP, UKInstitute of Health, University of Cumbria, Carlisle CA1 2HH, UKBackground: Family breakdown, separation, and divorce (FBSD) are often traumatic events, particularly for fathers who face unique challenges. These include emotional, psychological, and financial struggles, often exacerbated by abusive behaviours from ex-partners. This study explores fathers’ experiences of FBSD, focusing on both the breakdown event itself and any abuse, including coercive control and parental alienation, before and after the separation. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a survey of 141 men and follow-up interviews with 30 participants. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes related to FBSD and associated abuse. Results: Fathers reported significant emotional, psychological, and financial distress, with many experiencing ongoing abuse and coercive control after separation. Abuse often continued through legal processes and manipulation of child access. Parental alienation emerged as a prominent form of post-separation abuse, with fathers describing attempts by ex-partners to undermine their relationships with their children. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for gender-inclusive services that address the specific challenges fathers face during and after FBSD, particularly in relation to post-separation abuse. Targeted interventions are necessary to support fathers’ well-being and ensure their continued involvement in their children’s lives.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/1/31divorceseparationabusefathersparental alienation |
| spellingShingle | Benjamin Hine Eilish Mairi Roy Ching-Yu Huang Elizabeth Bates Fathers’ Experiences of Relationship Breakdown Including Post-Separation Abuse and Parental Alienating Behaviours Social Sciences divorce separation abuse fathers parental alienation |
| title | Fathers’ Experiences of Relationship Breakdown Including Post-Separation Abuse and Parental Alienating Behaviours |
| title_full | Fathers’ Experiences of Relationship Breakdown Including Post-Separation Abuse and Parental Alienating Behaviours |
| title_fullStr | Fathers’ Experiences of Relationship Breakdown Including Post-Separation Abuse and Parental Alienating Behaviours |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fathers’ Experiences of Relationship Breakdown Including Post-Separation Abuse and Parental Alienating Behaviours |
| title_short | Fathers’ Experiences of Relationship Breakdown Including Post-Separation Abuse and Parental Alienating Behaviours |
| title_sort | fathers experiences of relationship breakdown including post separation abuse and parental alienating behaviours |
| topic | divorce separation abuse fathers parental alienation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/1/31 |
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