Premium
Styles and Goals: Clarifying the Professional Identity of Divorce Mediation
Author(s) -
Baitar Rachid,
Buysse Ann,
Brondeel Ruben,
De Mol Jan,
Rober Peter
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
conflict resolution quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.323
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1541-1508
pISSN - 1536-5581
DOI - 10.1002/crq.21079
Subject(s) - mediation , psychology , mental health , identity (music) , social psychology , outcome (game theory) , health professionals , psychotherapist , political science , law , health care , physics , mathematics , mathematical economics , acoustics
In contrast to mediation outcome studies, there is a lack of research on mediation processes. In response, this article explores mediators' styles and goals and their determinants, such as the mediators' professional background and client characteristics. Survey data of 359 divorce professionals were analyzed with the use of multiple regression analyses. Results showed that styles and goals are predominantly determined by professional‐related characteristics. Lawyer mediators and mental health mediators diverged in advisory and interest‐based styles but were unified in all goals we studied. The goals, self‐determination, advocacy, and processing emotions differentiated mediation from law and mental health practice. Implications are discussed.