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Mediating With a Powerful/Competitive Couple: Michael and Debbie

NCJ Number
108441
Journal
Missouri Journal of Dispute Resolution Volume: 1987 Dated: (1987) Pages: 27-38
Author(s)
J M Haynes
Date Published
1987
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This case study of divorce mediation with a powerful, competitive couple focuses on controlling such couples in mediation and managing the negotiations.
Abstract
With such a couple, the mediator controls the dialog by intervening when one party complains about the other or digresses from the practical task of resolving problems. The mediator uses a direct fact question to terminate the digression and force a change in the client's behavior. No explanation of this strategy is given the clients. The relationship and interaction of most powerful, competitive couples is chaotic, and a firm structure is usually appreciated by both parties. This description of how to control competitive couples considers setting the agenda, directing the questions, determining the source of the initial movement in the discussion, balancing contributions by allowing parties to ventilate their feelings, and using summation to encourage the clients to listen to one another. The management of the negotiations involves focusing on the practical issues raised while ignoring hostile comments about the other party, orchestrating the concessions, and separating spousal and parental roles. The outcome of this particular mediation was a temporary approach to the couple's problem that gave them time to make reasonable permanent arrangements. 3 footnotes.