The procedural analysis of child custody assessment models in cases of marital dissolution

Abstract

Twenty-three child custody assessment models are identified in professional literature written by social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists and lawyers between 1966 and 1989. These models were identified by a key word search (child + custody + evaluation + assessment + study + data) of four indexes: Medline (MESH), Social Science Citation Index, Legal Resources and Social Work Abstracts. -- Part 1 conceptually defines and describes the field of child custody assessment and the clinical context in cases of marital dissolution. In Part 2, child custody assessment models are identified, categorized by country of origin (Canada or the United States) and procedurally reviewed by professional orientation (i.e. social work, law, psychiatry and psychology). A formulation for child custody assessment practice as a redefined area of child welfare and an emerging clinical social work specialization is developed.