Divorce adjustment and mediation: Theoretically grounded process research

Drawing on models of the divorce adjustment process, conflict theory, and previous research, a number of hypotheses were derived about the influence of divorce process variables on disputant behavior in mediation and mediation outcome. Premediation levels of attachment, anger, and sadness were assessed in 112 couples and the mediation sessions of fifty of these were videotaped. An existing coding instrument was modified to quantify disputant behaviors. Specific behaviors in mediation were found to be predictive of mediation outcome. Antecedent attachment and anger were found to be predictive of behavior in mediation and mediation outcome. In this article, the implications for mediation practice are discussed.