The Scientific Basis of Child Custody Decisions - Tapa dura

Child custody award decisions are often made capriciously-based on emotional factors rather than a clear consideration of the interests of the child. In this book, leading authorities clearly describe current empirical knowledge and data that should inform decisions about custody and visitation. They describe how scientific evidence is properly used in court, the legal status of empirical studies, and the role of psychological testing.

Making the Best Child Custody Decision.

To truly address the child's best interest, decisions awarding custody should be based on the best possible information. In this essential book, leading child development researchers, legal professionals, and clinicians analyze the legal status of empirical studies, the role of psychological testing, and the evaluation and proper use of scientific evidence.

The authors present current research on topics including evaluating and using child witnesses, the problems of stepfamilies, handling sexual abuse allegations, the impact of divorce on infants and very young children, and the special custody issues raised by medically ill children and adolescents. Lawyers, judges, custody evaluators, social workers, psychologists, policymakers, and parents can use this book to understand the tangle of information and concepts involved in child custody decisions.