Exploring a Process‐Oriented Forensic Family Observation Protocol

Garber, Benjamin D.

doi:10.1111/fcre.12217

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In conclusion, the findings from this review indicate a remarkable discrepancy between the impact of behavior observations for maltreatment risk assessment as reported in several studies, and the limited empirical evidence on the applicability and psychometric quality of specific observational coding systems in this assessment context (Bennett et al, 2006;Budd, 2001;Garber, 2016;Wilson et al, 2008;Zumbach & Koglin, 2015). This apparent discrepancy leads to the need for increased effort to study constructs and measures indicating child maltreatment risk.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…A number of theoretical guidelines and empirical studies indicate that observational measures of parent-child interaction are frequently used in evaluation practice, and that evaluators rate as an important technique. However, many guidelines and empirical studies on evaluation practice fail to specify whether to conduct an unstructured versus a structured observation, and they hardly ever name specific coding systems with which to analyze the observed interaction (Barber & Delfabbro, 2000;Budd, 2001;Garber, 2016;Kähkönen, 1999;Wilson et al, 2008;Ziegenhain et al, 2007;Zumbach & Koglin, 2015). Nonetheless, the literature does show that the systematic nature of behavioral observation has a large impact on its reliability and validity.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Reliability and Validity of Behavior Observation Coding Systems in Child Maltreatment Risk Evaluation: A Systematic Review

et al. 2021

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Performing child maltreatment risk assessments is a challenging task that calls for valid and reliable measures. In child protection proceedings, mental health professionals conduct maltreatment assessments that often form an important basis for judicial decision making. Because parent–child interaction is a key construct in maltreatment risk evaluations, observational assessment measures are crucial. This systematic review aims to identify observational coding systems of parent–child interaction that are applicable for psychological evaluations of the risk of child maltreatment. The goal is to examine the potential of observational coding systems to discriminate behavior of parents who have versus have not engaged in child maltreatment. A systematic literature search led to the inclusion of 13 studies published in the United States and Europe that were then analyzed in detail. Across the 13 studies, this review identified 11 unique observational coding systems. Results are summarized systematically for study characteristics and outcomes. Additionally, the main characteristics of the observational coding systems are identified and analyzed, including the age range of the child, observation tasks, measured constructs, and reliability. The discussion focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of the individual observational coding systems in the context of child maltreatment risk assessments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

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confidence: 99%

Reliability and Validity of Behavior Observation Coding Systems in Child Maltreatment Risk Evaluation: A Systematic Review

et al. 2021

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“…Context is just as necessary if one is to distinguish a child's fawning adoration of Parent A immediately after receipt of a gift (a.k.a., bribe; e.g., the coincidental purchase of a longed‐for puppy) from the same behavior associated with a particularly strong affinity, idealization or enmeshment. With this in mind, the evaluator is reminded that one interview is never sufficient (Hynan, ) and advised that a process‐oriented observation protocol (Garber, ) can further help to make these distinctions. Is the child's resistance/refusal event‐ or time‐dependent? Allegations of alienation, supercharged emotions and zealous advocates can blind all involved ‐ evaluators as easily as anyone ‐ to simple, pragmatic concerns.…”

Section: The Plausible Causes Of a Child's Polarization Are Finite Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alert to this factor, evaluators conduct home visits (Hynan, ), even in the absence of allegations specific to either environment. Is the child avoiding “culture shock”? When homes and parenting practices and family compositions are disparate, transition can induce a kind of culture shock akin to the experience of the world traveler who wakes up 1 day in Moscow and the next day in Tijuana (Garber, ). In fact, this writer has used this analogy successfully with children in clinical settings to help them better understand and cope with transition and “re‐entry” difficulties (Smart, Neale, & Wade, ). Is Parent B a sensitive and responsive caregiver?…”

Section: The Plausible Causes Of a Child's Polarization Are Finite Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Resist/Refuse Dynamics: Confirmatory Bias and Abductive Inference in Child Custody Evaluations

Garber¹

2020

Family Court Review

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Had Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, the great Sherlock Holmes, actually engaged in deductive reasoning, he would have solved many fewer crimes. In fact, Holmes' logical progression from astute observation to hypotheses is a model of a type of inductive reasoning. This paper argues that mental health professionals tasked to evaluate why a child is resisting/refusing contact with one parent must approach each family the way that Holmes approached each case, without a presumed suspect, moving systematically from detail to hypothesis, well‐versed in the full range of dynamics that may be at play, and erring in favor of parsimony rather than pathology. By contrast, the custody evaluator who approaches these matters through a deductive process, seeking data that support an a priori theory, is vulnerable to confirmatory bias and doing harm to the child whose interests are paramount. The literature concerned with resist/refuse dynamics is reviewed, yielding 13 non‐mutually exclusive variables that evaluators must consider so as to more fully identify why a particular child is resisting or refusing contact with one parent. On this basis, the hybrid model is expanded to include the full spectrum of contributing dynamics. Specific recommendations are made for judicial officers in the interest of writing orders for custody evaluations that minimize the risk of confirmatory bias. Key Points for the Family Court Community Deductive reasoning seeks to confirm or refute an a priori hypothesis Deductive reasoning is highly vulnerable to confirmational bias Confirmational bias can corrupt and invalidate forensic evaluation to the detriment of all involved Resist/refuse dynamics must be understood through an inductive process that is open to all possible hypotheses A survey of the literature identifies at least thirteen mutually compatible hypotheses, all of which must be evaluated Courts must take care to word orders for forensic family evaluations in a manner that minimizes confirmatory bias and invites inductive investigation

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“…Although the specific tools and methods developed for use in attachment studies may not yet be ready to be deployed for forensic application (Garber, ; cf., Main, Hesse, & Hesse, ), they do offer the family law community an alternative to the individual‐focused, diagnosis‐driven model that currently constrains us. This idea has motivated much of my writing and thinking (e.g., Garber, , ), in particular, my recommendation that custody evaluators adopt a process oriented observational protocol as part of every CCE (Garber, ).…”

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confidence: 99%