Psychoforensic Evaluation of Parental Rejection in Child Custody Proceedings in Ecuador: A Critical Narrative Review and Preventive Proposal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i3.1050Keywords:
parental rejection; parental alienation; forensic assessment; custody; best interests of the child; bond obstruction; forensic psychologyAbstract
This article presents a critical narrative review and a theoretical-applied proposal regarding the rejection of one of the parents by children and adolescents in custody and visitation proceedings in Ecuador. The central purpose is to rigorously examine the scientific and legal controversy surrounding the construct of Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) and, based on this analysis, to design a differential psychoforensic evaluation model aligned with the principles, norms, and standards in force in the country. The research is based on a selective review of the specialized literature, encompassing both critical and supportive perspectives on the concept, and on an analysis of national regulations and constitutional jurisprudence, in order to define the scope of action permitted by the legal system. The findings confirm that the majority position within the scientific community agrees that this construct lacks diagnostic validity, is not officially recognized by the relevant institutions, and does not have sufficient empirical support to be considered a clinical entity. This technical weakness is compounded by warnings from international human rights organizations, which have shown that its frequent use in courts is part of a strategy to discredit genuine allegations of violence, jeopardizing the protection of victims. A study on parental rejection and parental alienation highlights that there are complex relationships that can damage the parent-child bond. It is important to distinguish between these situations and those in which rejection is justified due to mistreatment or abuse. The study presents a model based on four aspects: basic principles, actions to prevent problems, guidelines for carefully evaluating situations, and legal safeguards. The idea is to analyze the causes that lead to the breakdown of the parent-child relationship, prioritizing the child's safety and well-being. This approach focuses on the best interests of the child and seeks to understand why the breakdown occurs, rather than simply looking for labels or diagnoses. However, it is important to note that this proposal has not yet been tested in practice, so its effectiveness needs to be evaluated in real-world cases.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Andrea Alexandra Becerra Travez , Luis Alejandro Sampedro Minango , Axel Aren Zambrano Acosta , Gina Roxana Arias Murillo
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