A Model of the Divorce Process

Emotional Attachment and Ambivalence: An Indicator for Pre‐mediation Counselling

“…Emotional acceptance of divorce is an essential prerequisite to the negotiation process (Brown, 1976a;Gold, 1982). Prior to engaging any couple in divorce mediation the mediator should assess each individual's psychological readiness to accept marital dissolution.…”

“…Spanier and Anderson (1979) found that 20% of their divorced sample were advised to ask for bigger settlements than they wished, while 26% reported they found lawyers' involvement actually had worsened the situation. The adversarial and punitive approach, often advocated by lawyers, may appeal to the angry, proud, or confused spouse (Brown, 1976a;Gold, 1982). Future litigation may be used to maintain an unhealthy but continued attachment with the absent spouse (Brown, 1976a;Gold, 1982).…”

“…The adversarial and punitive approach, often advocated by lawyers, may appeal to the angry, proud, or confused spouse (Brown, 1976a;Gold, 1982). Future litigation may be used to maintain an unhealthy but continued attachment with the absent spouse (Brown, 1976a;Gold, 1982).…”

“…. Divorce can also be viewed as a transition process bridging marriage and another lifestyle (Brown, 1976a:2).…”

Issues of Separation and Loss in Custody Mediation

“…The wife appeared fairly calm and rational most of the time. She was the initiator of the impending separation (Brown, 1976). The husband, however, kept going off on tangents, presenting extraneous points of view-in a very learned manner.…”