Mediator assessment, documentation, and disposition of child custody cases involving intimate partner abuse: a naturalistic evaluation of one county's practices.
The contentious and costly nature of the adversarial process for resolving child custody disputes has prompted scholars, practitioners, and policy makers to advocate for the development and implementation of less divisive forms of dispute resolution, notably, mediation. Mediation has been championed for its potential to resolve disputes with less acrimony among disputants, reduced economic costs, increased satisfaction with outcomes, and fewer adverse consequences for family members. Despite the increasing popularity, arguments have cautioned against the use of mandated mediation when intimate partner abuse (IPA) is alleged. This research documents a mediation screening process and models mediators' decision-making process as instantiated, naturally, in one jurisdiction.
Psychology, Policy and Law Program.
Connie J A
CJA
Beck
Evaluation and Research Development Unit.
Michele E
ME
Walsh
Department of Psychology.
Mindy B
MB
Mechanic
Department of Psychology.
Caitilin S
CS
Taylor
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002655:Child Custody / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D017008:Negotiating; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States