Family law professionals face many challenges when working with high-conflict families (including those in dispute about shared-time parenting arrangements). The aim of this anonymous web survey is to identify strategies used by practitioners (e.g., lawyers, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners, mediators, psychologists, etc) when working with high-conflict cases. The survey also briefly explores the personal impacts on practitioners of working with these cases. The findings will be used to identify strategies that practitioners have found to be useful both for their clients and themselves.
Further information about the study can be obtained from Dr Bruce Smyth (freecall: 1800 702 927) or Bruce.Smyth@anu.edu.au
You can dowload the Practitioner Information Sheet here
Information for respondents
About the study
This research is the final part of a study exploring how parents in high-conflict cases with shared-time arrangements make their arrangements ‘work’ – emotionally, practically, and financially.
Who is conducting the research?
Associate Professor Bruce Smyth is the Chief Investigator. He is based at the ANU Centre for Social Research & Methods at the Australian National University, Canberra. The Social Research Centre, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Australian National University, is managing the survey.
Who is funding the study?
This research has been funded by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship .
What are the aims of the study?
This study seeks to identify strategies used by family law system professionals (e.g., lawyers, FDRPs, mediators, psychologists, etc) when working with high-conflict cases. The survey also briefly explores the personal impacts on practitioners of working with these cases. The findings will be used to identify strategies that practitioners have found to be useful both for their clients and themselves.
Who has been invited to participate in the web survey?
Family law system professionals who are members of a professional society, organisation, or group that has kindly agreed to send out an invitation to participate have been invited to respond to the survey.
How long will the survey take?
The survey takes about 15–20 minutes to complete, depending on your answers to some of the open-ended questions.
Is participation voluntary?
Participation is entirely voluntary. Participants may, without any negative consequences, decline to take part, refuse to answer any question, or withdraw from the research at any time.
Is my information treated as confidential?
The survey is anonymous. All information will be treated in strict confidence as far as allowed by law. The ethical aspects of this research have been approved by the ANU Human Research Ethics Committee.
How do we ensure your privacy is protected?
We are bound by the provisions of the Commonwealth Privacy Act, as amended in December 2001. All data will be stored in a secure office at the Australian National University on a password-protected computer.
The ANU Privacy Policy can be found at: https://policies.anu.edu.au/ppl/document/ANUP_010007
Why participate?
High-conflict cases continue to represent one of the greatest, most complex challenges to the family law system, with piecemeal evidence to guide early identification and tailored interventions. Identifying strategies that practitioners have found to be useful both for their clients and themselves can help improve the family law system and the day-to-day work of family law system professionals.
Where can I get more information about the study?
If you would like more information about the study, please contact the Project Manager, Dr Bruce Smyth: freecall 1800 702 927 (business hours) or Bruce.Smyth@anu.edu.au