LAWYERS OPINIONS REGARDING CHILD-CUSTODY MEDIATION AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES - IMPLICATIONS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL PRACTICE

Psychologists who conduct divorce mediation or child custody assessmen t must understand the context of such professional practice and the vi ews of other professions involved, such as lawyers. In this study, fam ily lawyers (N = 161) completed a questionnaire about mediation and as sessment of custody disputes, indicating positive attitudes toward med iation and recognition of its favorable effects on the family. Lawyers viewed assessment as a desirable alternative to litigation but did no t associate it with enhanced family functioning. Lawyers strongly endo rsed the need for abuse screening prior to mediation. Distinctions bet ween the roles of lawyers and psychologists are emphasized. The necess ity of effective abuse screening is highlighted.