Improving Family Conflict through Mediation Services in Urban and Rural Texas

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), though widely used by community members to resolve numerous disputes (e.g., child support, divorce, domestic violence, child custody, debt), remains understudied. Thus, the impact of ADR on preventing conflict escalation, building life skills and positive coping mechanisms, and ensuring community safety and alternative justice approaches is poorly understood. Using Participatory Action Research, this study included N= 2,308 cases, spanning from 2016-2021, showing a high concentration of disputes on youth issues (support 42%, custody 50%, visitation 50%, welfare services 40%), with at least 20% of cases reporting one or more incidents of domestic violence. About 40% of the family cases evaluated included an attorney and cases were mainly reported in areas with about 68% Hispanic/Latino residents. Additional analyses will assess potential COVID-19 impact (pre-during pandemic) on cases using mediation as well as geographic mapping of mediation cases. Results will inform service providers on the type and frequency of disputes to improve mediation services, provide additional training for mediators, and identify additional areas of intervention. Improving mediation services, particularly in rural areas where other conflict resolution services may be scarce and inaccessible, could significantly support families’ and children’s well-being and provide them with positive conflict resolution skills.

Authors

• Narges Hadi, Texas Tech University

• Rula Zaru, Texas Tech University

• Bradley R. Fernandez, Texas Tech University

• Araceli Avila, Texas Tech University

• Gene Valentini, Office of Dispute Resolution for Lubbock County

• Elizabeth Trejos-Castillo, Texas Tech University