Mediators' style and style variation during divorce mediation: an empirical exploration

Mediators’ style and style variation during divorce mediation: an empirical exploration The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the role of the professional during divorce mediation. First, divorcing individuals were surveyed to examine whether the professionals’ facilitative style made a difference in outcomes. Multiple regression analysis showed that a facilitative style positively contributed to the quality of agreements (chapter 2) and post-divorce personal wellbeing (chapter 3). Yet, results underscore the limitations of a facilitative style for women (chapter 3) and who had high-conflict histories (chapter 2). Worse quality of agreements was also reported when lawyers (compared to mediators) were involved (chapter 2). Second, divorce professionals were surveyed to examine the professional identity of mediators. Descriptive analysis showed a strong attitudinal convergence in divorce professionals regarding divorce policies (chapter 4). Equally shared parenting agreements were mostly obtained with mediators and rare in lawyers practice. Yet, mediators were mostly skeptical, whereas the majority of lawyers were convinced of its positive effect on children (chapter 4). Multiple regression analysis indicated that the distinct way in which mediators adhered to the goals strengthening self-determination, advocating for the weaker client and processing emotions set mediation apart from law and mental health practice. Conversely, lawyer-mediators and mental health mediators were unified across goals but diverged in advisory and interest-based styles. Analysis showed that both styles are used by mediators, which implies some form of style variation (chapters 4, 5). Third, divorcing individuals and mediators were respectively surveyed and interviewed to examine helpful stylistic variation. Adopting a relational dialectical lens, qualitative analysis showed that mediators varied processes along the dialectics (1) professional control and client self-determination, (2) efficiency and exploration and (3) neutrality and engagement (chapter 6).status: publishe