Mediator approach and mediator behavior: A secondary data analysis of day of trial and child access mediation in Maryland

Does a mediator's stated approach (Facilitative, Inclusive, Transformative) predict their behavior at the mediation table? This question is explored through analysis of 149 cases from District Court day of trial mediation in four Maryland jurisdictions and 156 Circuit Court Family Division court-referred custody and visitation mediation cases in three Maryland jurisdictions. Through factor analysis and multiple regression analysis, this research found a mediator's stated approach does not fully predict their behavior at the mediation table, and that some self-reported approaches are more predictive of certain actual mediator behaviors (e.g., reflecting, eliciting, offering opinions) than others.