The surge in information and communication technologies (ICT) has provided alternative opportunities for maintaining parent–child contact postseparation. This article highlights findings from a survey study of 103 legal and mental health professionals who shared their views on the benefits and drawbacks of the use of ICT in parent–child contact postseparation. Results revealed a significant increase in the use of ICT as an enhancement tool for maintaining parent–child relationship in today's modern families. Professionals reported the need to develop specific engagement protocols to help mitigate and reduce concerns related to high conflict, safety, privacy, and unintended consequences related to the use of ICTs. We provide practice suggestions based on the study results that address key factors to consider when determining the use of technology in the facilitation of parent–child relationships.
Effective family interventions when children resist or reject contact with a parent in highly conflicted coparenting cases continue to pose significant challenges for mental health professionals, lawyers, and the courts. There is no consensus within the social science research literature on how best to identify, assess, and clinically respond to situations involving resist-refuse dynamics, which are multifaceted in causation and require clinical and often legal remedies. This chapter differentiates parent–child contact problems on a continuum by nature and severity, provides a triaged model of differentiated clinical and legal approaches, and briefly summarizes the existing research on the efficacy of existing interventions. A moderately severe case example is presented to illustrate screening, assessment, and treatment plan development, the application of Multifaceted Family Therapy, and coordinated legal interventions.
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