NCJ Number
51503
Date Published
1977
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS IN CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS IS DISCUSSED, WITH REFERENCE TO THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY OF PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED IN MAKING CHILD CUSTODY RECOMMENDATIONS.
Abstract
THE LEGAL, SOCIAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS INHERENT IN CHILD CUSTODY PROCESSES ARE CONSIDERED. DATA FROM A SURVEY OF LAWYERS, PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS, UNDERTAKEN TO IDENTIFY THE CRITERIA USED BY THESE PROFESSIONALS IN ASSESSING CHILD CUSTODY SITUATIONS, ARE REVIEWED. ALL DISCIPLINES USED THE SAME FIVE FACTORS--QUALITY OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD, MENTAL HEALTH, CHILD REARING ATTITUDES, CHILD CARE HISTORY, AND PERSONAL BEHAVIOR--TO EVALUATE BOTH MOTHERS AND FATHERS. (PERSONAL BEHAVIOR RANKED ABOVE CHILD CARE HISTORY FOR FATHERS.) ALL PROFESSIONALS INVOLED IN CHILD CUSTODY DETERMINATION ARE URGED TO SPECIFY THE CRITERIA THEY USE, THE DEFINITIONS OF THE CRITERIA, THE ACADEMIC RATIONALE FOR SELECTING THE CRITERIA, THE RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE EVALUATIONS, SAFEGUARDS AGAINST BIAS AND UNJUSTIFIED SUBJECTIVITY, AND THE BEST METHODS FOR INTERPRETING AND COMMUNICATING DATA. IT IS NOTED THAT PSYCHOLOGISTS, AS PROFESSIONALS CONCERNED WITH THE SCIENCE (AS OPPOSED TO THE ART) OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR, MUST BE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED WITH MEETING HIGH STANDARDS OF OBJECTIVITY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM STRUCTURE ITS CURRICULUM TO FAMILIARIZE STUDENTS WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHILD AND FAMILY THEORY THAT HAVE APPLICATIONS IN CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS, WITH SOCIOPOLITICAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM, AND WITH THE METHODOLOGIES REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION IN CHILD CUSTODY LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT EXTENSIVE RESRARCH ON CHILD CUSTODY BE UNDERTAKEN. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)