SPOUSAL CONSENSUS ON THE DIVORCE DECISION AND MEDIATION OUTCOME |
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| Authors: | Richard D Mathis EdD Lynelle C Yingling PhD |
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| Institution: | Richard D. Mathis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Counselor Education at NichoNs State University, Thibodaux, Louisiana.;Lynelle C. Yingling is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and Guidance and MFT Training Director at East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas. |
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| Abstract: | This study examined the relationship between spousal consensus on the decision to divorce and mediation outcome. Based largely on clinical experience and deductive reasoning, the conceptual literature has held that low consensus is negatively related to success in divorce mediation. To empirically explore this relationship, 72 families beginning court-ordered divorce mediation were asked whether they agreed that divorce was the best way out of their problems. Statistical analysis of their responses as they related to the outcome of mediation did not support the conceptual literature. No significant relationship was found between spousal consensus on the divorce decision and mediation outcome, a finding which agrees with the limited empirical research. This indicated that mediation is more tolerant of spousal nonconsensus than had been assumed in the divorce mediation literature. |
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