The Custody of Children

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

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2. Background Issues

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Child Custody Determination

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 3-26

   3. Current Models and Strategies of Assessment

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 27-48

   4. Foundations for a Behavioral Assessment Alternative

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 49-73

   5. A Comparison of Behavioral and Traditional Assessment

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 74-85

3. A Behavioral Model

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 87-87

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   2. Determining the Postdivorce Living Arrangements for Children

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 89-108

   3. Observational Learning

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 109-123

   4. Assessment of the Prospective Postdivorce Environments and Self-Ratings

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 124-137

4. Behavioral Assessment Strategies

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 139-139

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   2. The Behavioral Interview I

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 141-162

   3. The Behavioral Interview II

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 163-175

   4. Structured Behavioral Observations I

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 176-201

   5. Structured Behavioral Observations II

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 202-222

   6. Concluding Comments

      • Richard A. Marafiote

      Pages 223-228

5. Back Matter

   Pages 229-277

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Separation and divorce have become an inevitable factor in American society. Even those of us who have not experienced these events di­ rectly have been touched by them through association with parents, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. Frequently, we have observed these individuals express a variety of negative emotions, including insecurity, anxiety, depression, fear, and anger. If children are involved, their par­ ents' decisions and often dysfunctional maneuvers in this matter will most likely have a profound affect on them. One such decision will be with whom they will live. Although the great majority of children will live with their mothers following a divorce, this arrangement is no longer accepted as inevitable. Changes such as an ever-increasing num­ ber of mothers with full-time out of home employment and research supporting the significance and competence of fathers in child rearing have led many observers to challenge the assumption of maternal supe­ riority. These changes, as well as those related to the law and child cus­ tody, for example the increased acceptability of a joint custody arrange­ ment, have complicated the process of deciding where a child should live after his or her parents' divorce. Consequently, others are fre­ quently called upon to assist in the decision making and render an opin­ ion concerning custody and visitation. By and large these individuals will be members of the mental health profession.

• Affect
• Mental Health
• anxiety
• assessment
• child
• children
• depression
• divorce
• emotion
• employment
• health
• profession
• research

• Behavior Therapy Institute of Colorado, Denver, USA

  Richard A. Marafiote

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