Critical Issues in the Development of Custody and Access Dispute Resolution Services

• NCJ Number: 116387
• Journal: Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: special issue (October 1987) Pages: 405-417
• Author(s): P Jaffe; G Austin; A Leschied; L Sas
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: French; English
• Country: Canada
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The development and working assumptions of the London Custody and Access Project (LCAP) are outlined in the context of the needs of separated families involved in the legal process.

Abstract

The authors list three indicators they believe justify the involvement of mental health professionals in the disputes of parents over custody and access rights to their children and give an overview of the key clinical issues that arise in the separation/divorce process. Mediation, assessment, and arbitration are described as three conflict resolution techniques applied by clinicians to assist in revolving custody and/or access disputes. Data are presented on a sample of 68 cases in the LCAP outlining the nature of the issues involved, factors considered during the assessment, and clinical/legal recommendations. As the authors maintain that more and more mental health professionals will become involved in this process, future issues in research and practice are suggested. Three tables, 27 references. (Author abstract modified).