Mediator Assessment, documentation, and disposition of child custody cases involving intimate partner abuse: A naturalistic evaluation of one county's practices

Connie J.A. Beck, Michele E. Walsh, Mindy B. Mechanic, Caitilin S. Taylor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)227-240
Number of pages14
JournalLaw and Human Behavior
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010

Keywords

  • Child custody
  • Court-connected mediation
  • Divorce mediation
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Parenting time

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Psychology(all)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Law

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