Charting the challenging path toward establishment of parenting coordination's efficacy.

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the preliminary research on parenting coordination, examining both initial studies that describe what parenting coordinators (PCs) are doing in their practices as well as the limited research on the effectiveness of parent coordination. In addition, because the parenting coordination process uses interventions drawn from mediation and parenting education, we examine the efficacy of divorce mediation as an alternative dispute-resolution process and discuss divorce parenting education (DPE) programs. Finally, we offer suggestions about where future research needs to be focused. RESEARCH ON PARENTING COORDINATIONResearch on parenting coordination is still in the early stages. Early studies and surveys were limited by small samples and low response rates; however, the outlook is improving. Researchers have begun to focus not only

Critical Review of Research Evidence of Parenting Coordination's Effectiveness

“…Another factor to consider may include the commitment of the parents to the PC process. Carter and Lally (2014) suggest that the second generation of research on the efficacy of parenting coordination programs begin with a research group of participants who could propose the common information to be gathered in a standardized format. Ideally, in the future, they advocate for a third generation of studies to evaluate PC programs and use comparison groups and random assignment to evaluate whether the goals were met and change is in fact due to the parenting coordination intervention.…”

Through the Eyes of the Child: An advanced parenting coordination intervention for high conflict post-divorce families.

“…While there is evidence that successful parenting coordination de-escalates conflicts sufficiently to reduce parties' subsequent motions and re-appearances in court (Henry, Fieldstone & Bohac, 2009) -a satisfying outcome for judges -the evidence that parenting coordination also improves coparenting communication, coordination and cooperation between the embattled adults is scant, if not altogether non-existent (Carter & Lally, 2014;Deutsch, et al, 2018). What successful parenting coordination does seem to achieve is a mutually, if not begrudgingly, agreed-upon plan for "dividing the child" and parallel parenting (Carter, 2015).…”

The Issue of Ethics and Authority for Licensed Mental Health Professionals Involved in Parenting Coordination

“…As parenting coordination is an emerging and not entirely uniform or validated form of treatment or intervention (Carter & Lally, 2014), PCs should follow the APA's (2010) admonition that "psychologists inform their clients of the developing nature of the treatment, potential risks involved, alternative treatments that may be available, and the voluntary nature of the participation" (p. 13). As parenting coordination is an emerging and not entirely uniform or validated form of treatment or intervention (Carter & Lally, 2014), PCs should follow the APA's (2010) admonition that "psychologists inform their clients of the developing nature of the treatment, potential risks involved, alternative treatments that may be available, and the voluntary nature of the participation" (p. 13).…”

“…Finally, the Canadian Psychological Association's (2000) Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists explicitly advises psychologists to "recognize that informed consent is the result of a process of reaching an agreement to work collaboratively, rather than of simply having a consent form signed" (p. 11); similar advice is found in the APA's (2010) "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct." As parenting coordination is an emerging and not entirely uniform or validated form of treatment or intervention (Carter & Lally, 2014), PCs should follow the APA's (2010) admonition that "psychologists inform their clients of the developing nature of the treatment, potential risks involved, alternative treatments that may be available, and the voluntary nature of the participation" (p. 13).…”