Psychological Evaluations in Family Law Proceedings: A Systematic Review of the Contemporary Literature

Over the past several decades, empirical research on psychological evaluations in family law proceedings has identified strengths and weaknesses in this important area of assessment (Bow, 2006; Saini, 2008). This systematic review aims to provide a current and comprehensive summary of empirical research findings on psychological evaluation practice. Twenty studies published from 1997 to 2013 in North America were included from a systematic literature search and analyzed in detail. Results are presented for a number of evaluation-related parameters, such as the kind of mental health professional evaluating, the assessment methods applied in evaluation practice, evaluator's recommendations, and mental health characteristics of the evaluated families. Results are displayed both for evaluations in cases of child custody and visitation rights and for evaluations in cases of termination of parental rights. Current strengths and weaknesses in evaluation practice and evaluation research are discussed. Recommendations for practice and future research are considered.