Child custody mediation and litigation: Parents' satisfaction and functioning one year after settlement.

A 1-yr follow-up study was conducted on families randomly assigned to settle custody disputes either in mediation or through adversary procedures. Consistent with Time 1 reports, at Time 2 fathers who mediated were substantially more satisfied than were fathers who litigated. Fathers who mediated also complied more with child support orders. Contrary to prediction, the greater satisfaction and compliance of fathers did not lead to increased satisfaction among mothers who mediated. In contrast to Time 1, at follow-up mothers who mediated were significantly less satisfied than were mothers who litigated, but selective attrition may account for these differences. The psychological adjustment of mothers and fathers was not significantly different between settlement groups at Time 2, but mothers in both groups reported less satisfaction with dispute settlement and less dysphoria at Time 2 than they had reported at Time 1. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child custody mediation and litigation: Custody, contact, and coparenting 12 years after initial dispute resolution.

Long-term follow-up data were obtained on families who had been randomly assigned to mediate or litigate their child custody disputes. In comparison with families who litigated custody, nonresidential parents who mediated were more involved in multiple areas of their children's lives, maintained more contact with their children, and had a greater influence in coparenting 12 years after the resolution of their custody disputes. The increased involvement of nonresidential parents who mediated did not lead to an associated increase in coparenting conflict. Parents who mediated also made more changes in their children's living arrangements over the years. For the most part, the changes apparently reflect increased cooperation and flexibility. Satisfaction declined for parents (especially fathers) in both groups over time, but fathers remained much more satisfied if they mediated rather than litigated custody. Few differences in satisfaction were found between mothers in the 2 groups. The 12-year follow-up data indicate that, even in contested cases, mediation encourages both parents to remain involved in their children's lives after divorce without increasing coparenting conflict. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child custody evaluation practices: A survey of experienced professionals.

Investigated the activities, beliefs, and experiences of mental health professionals in 3 primary child custody areas: custody evaluation procedures, custodial decision making in joint and single-parent custody, and custodial recommendations. An extensive questionnaire was developed and mailed to 190 professionals (mean age 47.7 yrs) experienced in child custody evaluations. Results indicate that although Ss expressed a preference for impartiality, many continued to be retained by 1 parent only. This raises important ethical issues concerning the efficacy of certain evaluative roles in the pursuit of an optimal custodial recommendation. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changing adolescent deviant behaviour through reprogramming the behaviour of parents and teachers: An experimental evaluation.

Randomly assigned 60 school-referred predelinquent youths to either experimental treatment or a group treatment placebo control. The experimental treatment consisted of behavioral contracts designed to modify both parent-child and teacher-student interactions. The control treatment simply provided an opportunity to observe the social interaction of the referred youths. Results indicate statistically significant differences in 4 areas (teacher and counselor evaluations, and mothers' evaluation of their marital adjustment and relationship with their children), with small but positive changes recorded on the remaining 9 measures. Several factors are suggested to explain the lack of more convincing results: (a) The research methods used were highly conservative. (b) The treatment consisted of a single technique which may profitably be combined with other techniques to enhance outcome. (c) Unsolved intervention problems doubtless contributed to a weakening of the results. Nevertheless, data support the merit of further experimentation with the effects of behavioral contracting in services for delinquents and predelinquents. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Normative data for the MMPI-2 in child custody litigation.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 (MMPI-2) norms based on 508 child custody litigants are presented. Defensive underreporting and self-favorability were often exhibited along with an elevation on the Over-Controlled Hostility (O–H) scale. Highest mean clinical scale scores were Hysteria, Paranoia, and Psychopathic Deviate. Differences were not found among mothers, fathers, and stepparents, indicating that a single set of norms is suitable. Findings highlight the importance of context specificity in personality assessment. Proper interpretation of personality inventories in child custody disputes needs to consider both the norms of the standardization sample and the litigants' reference norms. It was not possible, to determine from the MMPI-2 per se whether a defensive approach overestimates mental health in a psychologically healthy population or conceals symptomatology in psychologically disturbed persons. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Follow-up study of parents in custody and access disputes.

35 parents responded to a questionnaire a minimum of 1 yr after assessment was completed for dispute over child custody and access. 63 children, 1–17 yrs old, were involved. In retrospect, parents found the assessment and/or mediation by mental health clinicians to be helpful and satisfying. At follow-up, parents reported a reduction in personal stress and an improvement in the children's adjustment. Joint custody arrangements were least likely to survive at follow-up, raising questions about the advisability of this custody arrangement. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child custody resolution: A study of social science involvement and impact.

To explore the use of mental health professional expertise in the legal system, legal professionals' sources of social science information, and the legal profession's perspectives on the appropriate roles of mental health professionals in the process, we solicited information from attorneys and judges on (a) the extent to which they actively seek the involvement of mental health professionals in child custody cases, (b) the factors that influence such involvement, and (c) the degree to which these attitudes and practices are influenced by social science data or theory. Among the most striking features of these results was the report by the overwhelming majority of legal professionals that they did not consider either social science data or mental health professionals' involvement or recommendations in child custody cases as critical to their practice of family law. Specifically, mental health participation was rarely solicited, and when it was, this decision rested primarily on the paradigmatic regularities of the legal system or practical needs of the case rather than on a view that such involvement was central to the client's or child's mental health. The implications of these findings for collaboration between the mental health and legal disciplines in the area of family policy are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of mediation as an alternative to divorce litigation.

A review of the variables that most influence family members' postdivorce adjustment, such as parental coping abilities and the existence of continuing conflict, raises questions about the potentially damaging structure for dispute resolution imposed by the courts. Arguments are presented in support of mediation as a constructive alternative for resolving parents' disagreements on issues of custody and childcare. Mediation provides the opportunity to address the needs of both parents, increases feelings of parental competence, helps the couple develop the postdivorce skills for communication and negotiation of conflicts, and reduces postdivorce litigation. Suggestions are offered for the integration of psychotherapy and mediation in psychological practice. (54 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child custody cases: A content analysis of evaluations in practice.

Guidelines for custody evaluations recommend multiple ways for assessing the parent-child relationship and outline appropriate means of assessing special issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, and substance use. However, little is known about the implementation of these guidelines in practice. This study examines 60% of custody evaluations in one circuit court over a 2-year period. Custody evaluations were examined for adherence to guidelines and for differences based on evaluator training. This analysis suggests much variety in techniques used and a lack of consistency between guidelines and clinical practice. The findings suggest a need for more standardized approaches to conducting custody evaluations as well as the assessment of domestic violence, child abuse, and substance abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child custody decisions in divorce proceedings: A survey of judges.

Examined 57 judges' self-report of the relative importance they assign various factors in deciding custody in a divorce. Results of the survey demonstrate a hierarchical consideration of factors and the presence of 2 major dimensions in the judges' decision process: Judges assess parents according to their status as responsible members of the community and take into account alternative opinions on what will be best for the child. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reactions to child custody decisions involving homosexual and heterosexual parents.

Examined the effects of gender and sexual orientation of petitioning parents on attitudes about child custody decisions among 274 undergraduates who were either high or low in homophobia. In Phase 1, Ss completed the Heterosexual Attitudes Toward Homosexuals Scale and the Kinsey Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale that were embedded in a general questionnaire on social attitudes. In Phase 2, the same Ss were asked to give their opinions about the outcome of contrived custody cases where the parent winning custody was homosexual or heterosexual. There was less support for a homosexual than a heterosexual parent. This was particularly noticeable for male Ss. Unexpectedly, mothers were not favored over fathers; instead, Ss favored parents of their own gender. Ss who scored low in homophobia reacted more favorably to a homosexual parent than a heterosexual parent, while the reverse was true for those scoring high in homophobia. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lawyers' opinions regarding child custody mediation and assessment services: Implications for psychological practice.

Psychologists who conduct divorce mediation or child custody assessment must understand the context of such professional practice and the views of other professions involved, such as lawyers. In this study, family lawyers (N?=?161) completed a questionnaire about mediation and assessment of custody disputes, indicating positive attitudes toward mediation and recognition of its favorable effects on the family. Lawyers viewed assessment as a desirable alternative to litigation but did not associate it with enhanced family functioning. Lawyers strongly endorsed the need for abuse screening prior to mediation. Distinctions between the roles of lawyers and psychologists are emphasized. The necessity of effective abuse screening is highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child influences on adult controls: An experimental investigation.

A major assumption of Bell's (1977) model of parent–child bidirectionality is that the members of dyadic systems behave in ways that maintain an equilibrium. When a member's behavior falls below a lower threshold, the other member elicits increased behavior (lower-limit control). Similarly, when a member's behavior surpasses an upper threshold, the other acts to reduce this excessive behavior (upper-limit control). An observational method was used to assess the effects of lower-limit and upper-limit child behaviors on adult controls. Two 10-year-old child confederates, trained in conduct-problem and anxious-withdrawn roles, interacted with 32 mothers in a semistructured play situation. Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses revealed that mothers exhibited more stimulating controls (helping and rewards) in the anxious-withdrawn condition and more restrictive controls (ignoring, commands, and discipline) in the conduct-problem condition. Analyses of behavioral sequences indicated specific effects of the child's role that suggest that mothers responded more to cognitive sets they developed during the interaction than to the child's actual behavior. The results supported Bell's model of bidirectionality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Notification of purpose in custody evaluation: Informing the parties and their counsel.

The process of alerting child custody and access litigants to the purposes, procedures, and ramifications of the child custody or parenting examination invokes both psychological and legal considerations. A full and complete notification of purpose can be accomplished only by a coordinated effort between the examiner and counsel. In light of the range of potential variations in examiner approach, this notification may be individualized to reflect the examiner's style and the case needs. Because of the abundance of information to be included and the importance of the inclusion of counsel in the process, written notification, provided in advance of the examination, is useful. The basic elements of a notification are discussed, to be adapted to the parameters of the examiner's practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preventing and managing board complaints: The downside risk of custody evaluation.

Data compiled by the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed that 7%–10% of ethics complaints filed were against custody evaluators. Comparative data from various state and provincial psychology boards remain too sketchy to permit an accurate appraisal of this problem at the local level. Nevertheless, vulnerability to ethics complaints remains an occupational hazard for the private practitioner who engages in custody assessment. This article offers practitioners who conduct custody evaluations suggestions for reducing their risk of incurring an ethics complaint and discusses variables to consider when responding to a review board inquiry. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential attitude change in nonprofessional experience: An experimental comparison.

Manipulated 3 components of training and supervision of undergraduate nonprofessionals working with youthful offenders: specific intervention skills vs natural helping styles, frequency of training/supervision meetings, and size of training/supervision groups. Effects of varying these components were then observed on the nonprofessionals' attitudes toward themselves, the target population, and other relevant areas. 134 undergraduates served as Ss, 49 of whom were controls. Ss using their natural helping styles of intervention were significantly more disillusioned about themselves and the juvenile justice system across time; those receiving training in specific intervention skills felt more positive. Comparisons of these results with those found in other nonprofessional programs, as well as implications for professionals in helping careers, are discussed. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child and family coping one year after mediated and litigated child custody disputes.

Evaluated child and family outcomes 1 yr after parents had used mediation (n?=?32) or litigation (n?=?26) to settle custody disputes over children aged 2–17 yrs. One year after settlement, parents in mediation showed greater correspondence in perceptions of the settlement process and of their child's problems. Contrary to expectations, there was a greater association between parent and child problems among families in mediation. Child outcomes did not differ in the mediation and litigation groups but did differ according to the level of parental conflict. Custody settlements that promote ongoing contact between parents after divorce may offer both rewards and risks. Children can benefit when the parents' relationship is cooperative, but may suffer when the parents continue to fight. More intensive intervention may be needed to help parents maintain generational boundaries and shelter their children from conflict after divorce. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child abuse potential and parenting stress: Relationships in maltreating parents.

The relationship between the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAP) and the Parenting Stress Index was examined across four groups of maltreating parents. Parents who were self-referred or referred due to high risk obtained significantly higher scores, and neglecting parents obtained significantly lower scores, than either physically abusive parents or spouses of maltreating parents. Significant gender differences were also obtained, with males scoring lower than females. Classification rates for the recommended CAP abuse potential cutoff score were lower than reported in previous research. The two measures appear to be tapping similar constructs but also measuring unique aspects of subjects' functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Memory accessibility and probability judgments: An experimental evaluation of the availability heuristic.

Consistent with A. Tversky and D. Kahneman's (1973, 1974) availability heuristic hypothesis, the current study found a negative correlation between recall latency for past events and the perceived future probability of similar events. Furthermore, when the relative accessibility of memories of positive and negative events was experimentally manipulated using the Velten mood-induction procedure, the perceived future probabilities of similar events also changed in a manner consistent with the availability heuristic account. Reductions in recall latencies resulting from the mood manipulations were, as predicted, related to increases in perceived probability, and vice versa. Partial correlations indicated that this association between the observed patterns of changes in recall latencies and probability judgments could not be accounted for by the existence of independent associations between each of these effects and the magnitude of mood change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The evaluation of university experience: An examination of motives and satisfaction.

A survey assessing university students' motives for attending university and satisfaction with the experience was completed by 14,000 students. Analyses indicated the following: (1) older students, females, part-time students, and Arts students tended to indicate intellectual development as the major reason for attending university as compared with younger students, males, full-time students, and Commerce and Engineering students, whose primary reason was career preparation; (2) minority group students (defined for this university as those over 24 years old, part-time students, non-Anglophones, non-Canadian citizens) evaluated the university experience more favorably than the majority group. Several hypotheses accounting for these results are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)