NCJ Number
109722
Journal
Mediation Quarterly Issue: 18 Dated: (Winter 1987) Pages: 37-52
Date Published
1987
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of a trial divorce mediation program determined the percentage of child custody disputes resolved through mediation, compared the adjustment of parents and children in mediated and nonmediated divorce cases, and obtained opinions on the mediation from attorneys whose clients participated in mediation.
Abstract
All couples (18) who had child custody or visitation disputes during the 2 months prior to the trial mediation were used as a control group. For the 6-month trial mediation program, the court referred 67 couples, with 38 of these actually attempting mediation. Of the 38, 20 reached an agreement. Interviews with parents in the control and experimental groups showed small differences in happiness between the groups, but those that did not attempt mediation had less happiness. Data suggest that mediation decreases the amount of strain in a divorce, particularly among men. Children in the mediation group were more likely than children in the control group to say their home life was as happy as that of their peers. A majority of attorneys indicated mediation may benefit children, but approximately 75 percent said the mediation program had not been successful. The attorneys apparently felt the court commissioner system should be used instead of mediation. 10 tables and 7 references.