Divorce mediation and its emotional impact on the couple and their children

Abstract

Only recently have stage of development concepts been applied to the process of divorce. Formulations about continuum of feelings, tasks to be accomplished, ordinary emotional fluctuations, and challenges to be mastered began to appear in the literature only in the past two decades (Bohannan, 1970; Froiland & Hozman, 1977; Kaslow, 1981b; 1983; Kessler, 1975). Nonetheless, when one is undertaking either divorce therapy or divorce mediation with a couple, it is vital to ascertain such life cycle factors as: 1) where each is in his or her individual life cycle development in terms of chronological age, emotional maturity, cognitive functioning, career status and aims, and child rearing; 2) how long the couple had been together, what are the personalities and ages of the children, the nature of the couple's prior relationship to each other, the extended family's response to the imminent divorce, the importance ascribed to independencelfreedom vs. sharing one's life and being concerned about a partner's wishes, the level of intimacy sought and reached, the nature and frequency of arguments, the extent of ennui and disillusionment, the perceived friendship and career opportunities beyond the current marriage and job, and the economic circumstances; and 3) if they have already decided to divorce or where they are in this emotional and legal process—predivorce, during divorce, or postdivorce?

It is important that the point of therapeutic entry and the selection of treatment strategies or the approach in divorce mediation be contingent upon etching a clear and accurate picture of their individual and couple identity, rhythms, intrapsychic integration and interpersonal resources, and the life cycle stage in these intertwined aspects of living.     

离婚对儿童青少年心理发展的影响:父母冲突的重要作用

离婚对儿童青少年心理发展的影响从20世纪70年代末开始引起国内外研究者的极大关注。本文从以下三个方面对离婚如何影响儿童青少年心理发展的研究进行综述:(1)离婚与儿童青少年心理发展关系的研究在不同历史阶段的理论变迁——从"严重影响说"到"有限影响说";(2)离婚影响儿童青少年心理发展的机制探讨:大量研究都证实父母冲突是比离婚本身对儿童青少年影响更大的一个因素,离婚前父母冲突会调节离婚对儿童青少年的影响方向和大小,离婚后的父母冲突与父母共同养育会通过影响亲子关系和父母的教养行为进而对儿童青少年的心理发展造成影响;(3)现有研究对实践工作以及未来研究方向的启示。     

A Novel Approach

Abstract

The relationship between empathy and forgiveness is explored through the painful experience of divorce and relationship loss. Authors propose a literary exercise, the Novel Approach, to help clients discover the power of empathy and find resolution to past pains. Included is a case study used to describe the Novel Approach and to highlight its facilitative power for creating a deeper empathic understanding.     

Book review

Abstract

What predicts divorce? the relationship between marital processes and marital outcomes, John M. Gottman. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1994, 521 pages, hardcover $99.95, paperback $49.95     

Divorce Therapy in Context

Abstract

Partners trying to decide whether to continue or end their marriage rely on the expertise of therapists to help them evaluate their alternatives. Research on what predicts divorce and what consequences divorce has for parents and children is reviewed so therapists are informed in the guidance they give clients. Attention is given to the environmental context of marriage as well as its interior quality. Implications for therapists doing divorce therapy in the context of a “pro-marriage” climate are also discussed.     

The relationship between purposiveness and information integration: The effect of metamotivational states on cognitive rules in sport

IntroductionInformation integration theory is based on an axiom of purposiveness (i.e. cognition is goal-motivated) and on an axiom of integration (i.e. an action or thought depends on the integration of several stimuli). The relationship between the two axioms has not previously been studied.ObjectiveTo explore the influence of metamotivational states on information integration. We looked at how 70 athletes combined four factors (autonomy, relatedness, competence, and the natural environment) when deciding whether or not to get involved in running under paratelic (activity-oriented) and telic (goal-oriented) conditions.MethodThe participants recorded their decision-making processes for two sets of 24 scenarios built from combinations of the four factors. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were applied to the data.ResultsAll four factors were taken into consideration by the participants when deciding whether or not to get involved in running. The participants used a conjunctive rule under the paratelic condition and an additive rule under the telic condition.ConclusionAn individual's metamotivational state may modify the cognitive algebra in information integration. Further research is required to confirm these initial findings.     

A Solution-Based Approach to Couple Therapy

Abstract

Couples often present for counseling as a last resort. As relationships in crisis may not last it is important that treatment be time-effective. Solution-based therapies have been described as brief and time-effective and applied effectively to working with couples. This article presents a case example demonstrating the application of a solution-based approach to therapy with a married African-American couple entering therapy to resolve their relationship difficulties that lead to the initiation of divorce proceedings. The processes of reducing blame and conflict, creating hope and solution building utilizing solution-based interventions are discussed, as well as the treatment outcomes.     

Attachment to Society and Cognitive Deviance: The Case of Turkey

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the relationship between the level of attachment to society and cognitive deviance in modern Turkey. Applying Social Bonding Theory, we argue that stronger attachment to society leads to higher conformity to society’s socially accepted norms and less cognitive deviance. We conceptualize cognitive deviance as nontraditional attitudes toward sexuality and marriage. Using the 2011 World Values Survey, we find that the level of attachment to society reduces cognitive deviance. Moreover, the effect is stronger toward more extreme cognitive deviance, such as tolerance toward homosexuality, than less extreme cognitive deviance, such as tolerance toward divorce and abortion.     

Child Abuse and Divorce

Summary

This article addresses the problem of divorce situations in which there are also allegations of abuse. Its goal is to provide guidance for professionals evaluating these cases. It describes the challenges peculiar to cases where divorce and abuse allegations coexist, relevant research findings, and potential sources of bias. The article suggests a multidisciplinary approach may be the optimal strategy for evaluating these cases. Specific guidelines for evaluation and decision-making are provided.     

Suicide risk among dentists: A multivariate analysis

Dentists are recognized as an occupational group with a high incidence of suicide. Past work, however, has focused only on the bivariate dentist‐suicide relationship. It is not clear whether this risk of suicide is because of occupational stress or sociodemographic factors, such as gender and divorce, which are covariates of dentist status. The present study reassesses the link between dentistry and suicide by controlling for dentistry's covariates. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, dentists still have a significantly higher risk of suicide, indicating that occupational stress may be a source of their high suicidality.     

Family ties after divorce: long-term implications for children

Drawing on the data from the longitudinal Binuclear Family Study, 173 grown children were interviewed 20 years after their parents' divorce. This article addresses two basic questions: (1) What impact does the relationship between parents have on their children 20 years after the divorce? and (2) When a parent remarries or cohabits, how does it impact a child's sense of family? The findings show that the parental subsystem continues to impact the binuclear family 20 years after marital disruption by exerting a strong influence on the quality of relationships within the family system. Children who reported that their parents were cooperative also reported better relationships with their parents, grandparents, stepparents, and siblings. Over the course of 20 years, most of the children experienced the remarriage of one or both parents, and one third of this sample remembered the remarriage as more stressful than the divorce. Of those who experienced the remarriage of both of their parents, two thirds reported that their father's remarriage was more stressful than their mother's. When children's relationships with their fathers deteriorated after divorce, their relationships with their paternal grandparents, stepmother, and stepsiblings were distant, negative, or nonexistent. Whether family relationships remain stable, improve, or get worse is dependent on a complex interweaving of many factors. Considering the long‐term implications of divorce, the need to emphasize life course and family system perspectives is underscored.     

Adolescent–parent attachment characteristics and quality of youth sport friendship

ObjectivesTo examine the link between security of adolescent–parent attachment relationships and experiences of friendship quality in male team sport participants.Design and methodNinety six male adolescents involved in team sports completed self-report assessments of relationship security with a key parental attachment figure and of the nature of their friendship with a nominated sporting best friend. Teammates and coaches also provided ratings related to how easy they found it to get along with participants.ResultsResults provided evidence that the nature of the adolescent–parent attachment relationship was significantly related to sporting friendship experiences. More secure adolescent–parent attachment characteristics corresponded to more positive sporting friendships. Furthermore, sporting friendship dyads where both friends reported more secure attachment relations with parents were experienced more positively than dyads where both friends were less securely attached to parents or even where one friend was less securely attached.ConclusionThere is a suggestion that adolescent attachment relations with parents are indicative of underpinning working models of attachment that may subsequently influence the manner in which youngsters negotiate friendships in sporting contexts.     

The effect of parental divorce on young adults' romantic relationship dissolution: What makes a difference?

It was proposed that parental divorce does not have a uniform effect on young adults' romantic relationships and that differential outcomes depend on how young adults perceive their parents' divorce. Using a sample of 571 young adults, structural equation modeling suggested that, compared with those from intact families, young adults whose parents divorced held a more favorable attitude toward divorce. A positive attitude toward divorce was associated with lower commitment to their romantic relationship, which in turn affected its dissolution. More importantly, young adults' perception of parental divorce varied depending on interparental conflict and parents' marital quality before the divorce. The variation in the perception of interparental divorce was linked to relationship dissolution via attitude toward divorce and relationship commitment.     

Parental Depression and Divorce and Adult Children’s Well-Being: The Role of Family Unpredictability

We examined how parental depression and divorce are associated with anxiety and depression among college students (N = 126; 83% female; 89% Caucasian). Participants provided retrospective recollections of their parents’ depression, and they completed The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale and portions of the Trait Anxiety Scale. In addition, they filled out the brief Marlow-Crowe Social Desirability Scale and the Retrospective Family Unpredictability Scale. Parental depression related to students’ depression, and aspects of family unpredictability (unpredictable money, maternal discipline, and paternal nurturance) mediated this relationship. Parental depression also related to students’ anxiety, however family unpredictability was not a strong mediator of this relationship. Finally, students reporting parental divorce did not report elevated depression or anxiety scores, although parental divorce did relate to perceptions of parental depression. We discuss implications and ideas for treatment and future research.     

The COSD Center Model

SUMMARY

This article describes the Children of Separation and Divorce Center, Inc: and how it empowers children and their families to cope with a major family transition. The rationale for creating the private, non-profit center is discussed and examples of the components of the center are illustrated to explain how children are empowered. Clinical and educational programs are client-need driven. The peer counselor program describes the participation of children and adults who are trained by COSD staff to be helpful to others. How COSD staff advocate for children and families of divorce is detailed with examples of judicial training, participation on advocacy boards and working with courts.     

Getting a New Lease on Life

Abstract

A significant number of marriages today arc interchurch, that is, marriages in which each spouse belongs to a different Christian church or denomination. The limited research on interchurch couples suggests that they are more at risk for divorce than same-church couples. A qualitative study and a national telephone survey were conducted by the Center for Marriage and Family at Creighton University to better understand interchurch marriages. Based on findings from these studies, clinical implications for premarital counseling with interchurch couples are presented. The findings suggest not only how to work with interchurch couples, but how religion can potentially impact all couples regardless of their denominational affiliation.     

A Model of Marital Resolution

SUMMARY

This article describes a brief model for exploring reconciliation with couples seeking divorce mediation. The model entails a sequence of individual and conjoint sessions, which are illustrated by a case example. The roles of attachment and ambivalence are presented for the model. Ethical issues related to discussing possible reconciliation with couples considering divorce are discussed and the distinction between mediation and psychotherapy is developed. The article concludes with contraindications and recommendations for the future.     

Religiousness,collectivism, and helping behavior: The invigorating role of abusive supervision

IntroductionVoluntary helping behaviors are important for spurring organizational effectiveness.ObjectivesThis study investigates how employees’ religiousness and collectivism might enhance their propensity to help their peers on a voluntary basis, as well as how this relationship might be invigorated by the presence of abusive supervision.MethodsSurvey data were collected from employees and their supervisors in Pakistan-based organizations. The hypotheses were tested with hierarchical regression analysis.ResultsReligiousness relates positively to helping behavior, and this relationship is stronger when employees experience abusive supervision, possibly because their religiousness motivates them to protect their colleagues against the hardships created by such a resource-draining leadership style. Although collectivism does not have a direct significant relationship with helping behavior overall, abusive supervision invigorates this relationship.ConclusionFor organizations seeking to increase voluntary work behaviors, the results show that religiousness and collectivism are two personal resources that can enhance an organizational culture that promotes collegiality and mutual support, particularly when employees believe that their supervisors are hostile to followers and abuse their leadership positions.     

Child Access and Visitation Following Divorce: A Growth Area for Marriage and Family Therapy

Recent federal legislation encourages states to increase noncustodial parents' access and visitation with their children following separation or divorce. The State of Iowa Department of Human Services Bureau of Collections commissioned a pilot study to provide a beginning picture of how parents and professionals experience the child access and visitation process. Two midsized urban centers and a rural community were studied. A total of 14 divorced parents and 16 professionals who work with divorced individuals were interviewed using a 2-hour focus group format. Study findings identified problematic themes regarding child access and visitation, potential solutions, and suggested services to address these problems. The services suggested by the study all fall within the professional expertise of marriage and family therapists. A primary finding of the study was the need for therapy and mediation focused on relational issues.