Mediation's Persistent Benefits for
Families of Divorce or Child Custody Disputes
The Science of Latest Studies Leaves No Doubt
As To
Divorce Mediation's Long-Lasting and Positive Effects
As full-time family and divorce mediators for
many years, we know firsthand the very real benefits of
divorce and child custody mediation, and many folks approaching
divorce have heard mediation can save costs and time,
and preserve control over their after-divorce futures. Most
divorcing or separated parents also understand from their
own or others’ experience that litigation of divorce, child
custody or
parenting disputes often results in costly and emotionally
destructive battles with harmful effects on the parties and
especially on their children.
Recent scientific research now confirms these
beliefs and demonstrates the long-term benefits
of mediation for custody disputes or divorces involving
children.
 As detailed in his latest book,
The Truth About Children
and
Divorce, nationally recognized divorce researcher,
therapist, and family mediator, Robert Emery, Ph.D. has released
his striking studies conducted with the highest scientific
standards and contrasting the long term experience of
couples randomly assigned to mediation rather than
litigation of their divorce or custody disputes.
Dr. Emery’s studies at the University of Virginia’s
Center for Children, Families and the Law used completely
random assignment to ensure that both divorce mediation and
litigation groups included the full spectrum of couples as
characterized by their styles of relating with each other.
Divorce or custody dispute couples evaluated as “cooperative” “distant” and “angry”
were randomly distributed to both groups. Dr. Emery’s studies demonstrate an astonishing
and persistent benefit to
the families of couples taking control of their own destiny
and attempting to work out their own agreements in
mediation.
Divorce Mediation's Astonishing Costs/Benefits:
A Modest Investment of Time Brings Persistent Positive Effects
on Parent-Child Relationships
Consider that twelve (12) years later after an average of
only five (5) hours of mediation at the time of the parties’
divorce …
- 28 percent of the nonresidential parents who mediated saw
their children at least once a week, in comparison with 9
percent of parents who were assigned by the study to resolve
their divorce or custody dispute by litigation!
- 36 percent of nonresidential parents who litigated had not
seen their children in the last year, in comparison with 16
percent of divorcing parents who were assigned to mediation!
- Among
divorce families who mediated, fully 59 percent of
nonresidential parents talked to their children weekly or
more often, compared with just 14 percent of nonresidential
parents who litigated!
- Finally, in comparison with families who went to court,
the residential parent of divorcing couples who mediated, consistently
reported that the nonresidential parent discussed problems
with them more and participated more in the children’s
discipline, grooming, religious training, errands, special
events, school and church functions, recreational
activities, holidays and vacations!
(contrast these families' level of cooperation in the
following chart used with permission from Dr. Emery)
In short, the scientific evidence of recent studies makes
clear what many divorce professionals have long known:
No choice you make as a separated or divorcing parent can be
as influential on your family’s future as whether you choose
divorce
mediation or litigation. In Dr. Emery’s words: “How you negotiate your divorce
settlement [including your choice to use divorce mediation or
litigation] is going to start you down a path that you will
be walking for many, many years.”
Dr. Emery details his research findings at a National
Governors'
presentation and
video exploring divorce's effect on children. Highlights
of Dr. Emery's studies − with charts contrasting the
experiences of families choosing divorce mediation and those
using litigation − are also available in a
Microsoft PowerPoint® outline (The
Truth About Divorce and Children). (This is a large file, and
requires Microsoft Office's presentation software,
PowerPoint®, to access and review.)
We are privileged to host, as a web exclusive, Dr. Emery's
child custody and parenting time alternative schedules,
as recommended by children's ages and by “parents' divorce
styles” as well.
Also see our website’s section on
Why Choose Divorce Mediation? for other compelling
reasons to consider mediation of your divorce, child custody
or other parenting dispute.
Consider, too, our website's acclaimed Frequently Asked Questions and
Myths
resources, where we answer other
questions, and debunk commonly held misunderstandings −
regarding Colorado divorce laws, court procedures and
alternative dispute resolution alternatives, such as family
mediation.
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