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Effects of mediator competence and mediation process on user satisfaction with child custody, finances, and property outcomes
Author(s) -
Wong Mooly Meiching,
Ma Joyce LaiChong,
Yuan Rhea Rui
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
asian social work and policy review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.286
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 1753-1411
pISSN - 1753-1403
DOI - 10.1111/aswp.12176
Subject(s) - socioemotional selectivity theory , mediation , competence (human resources) , child custody , psychology , social psychology , mediator , developmental psychology , political science , medicine , criminology , law
This study draws on survey data from 205 family mediation service users concerning their satisfaction with the outcomes of mediation to address two research questions: (a) how satisfied are service users? and (b) what factors account for users' satisfaction with the outcome of child custody arrangements and the allocation of finances and property? Overall, users' level of satisfaction with outcomes was high. While the mediation process explained a significant variance in satisfaction with the outcomes for child custody and for finances and property, the mediator's perceived professional competence did not predict user satisfaction with the outcomes for either issue. This study contributes to our knowledge on the significance of mediators' process skill, specifically their calm and clear responses to the socioemotional needs of the mediated parties, on the service outcomes for both types of dispute. The implications for mediation training are discussed.