NCJ Number
100414
Journal
Mediation Quarterly Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1984) Pages: 5-20
Date Published
1984
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This research tested the effectiveness of a thereapeutic mediation model on 13 sets of divorcing or divorced parents to resolve disputes about child custody and visitation.
Abstract
Mediators were child mental health professionals: a male-female mediation team was considered ideal. The model required the parents to meet together with the mediators first and then meet individually with the mediators as needed throughout the mediation process. The mediation sessions focused first on the history of the marital relationship and then on parental relationships with the children. Mediation sessions also were conducted with the children to assess each child's needs; assessments were shared with the parents. Mediators tried to have parents reach a written agreement about child custody and visitation. Analysis of the data for the 13 sets of divorced/divorcing parents included evaluation of mediator notes about the process and issues, as well as comments by mediation participants in semistructured interviews conducted 1 month or more after completing the mediation process. The model produced agreements in 46 percent of the cases, and the majority of participants favored the mediation process. Parents with agreements reported positive changes in their children, and the majority of parents reported improved relationships with the other parent. 12 references.