The Ecological Validity of Parent-Child Observations: A Review of Empirical Evidence Related to Custody Evaluations

Abstract

The forensic specialty of custody evaluations has grown rapidly within the last decade. These evaluations are complex and require systemic assessment and analysis of multiple systems. In many jurisdictions, formal guidelines and best practice protocols for conducting custody evaluations have been developed. These protocols require the evaluator to observe the parent-child interaction either in a home visit or in the usual environment where parent-child visitation occurs. Observation of the parent-child interaction is believed to yield large amounts of data and relevant information. This article reviews the empirical evidence relevant to parent-child observations with the goal of increasing the ecological validity and scientific rigor of these observations. Recommendations for parent-child observation visits are made integrating theory, research, and practice.