Ready, Steady, Go: The Meaning of Contexts and Conditions for Mediators' Entry

Mediation has been the subject of numerous descriptive studies in various fields of research. Although a number of empirical studies concerning this alternative form of dispute resolution exists, most of them focus on the process itself, regardless of the contexts and conditions under which mediation takes place. Following the contingency model of mediation, processes are embedded within contexts and conditions in the pre-mediation phase, which influence and frame the disputants’, as well as mediators’, behavior. By using content analysis, our study identifies variables—such as escalation level or conflict duration, which characterize this phase. Moreover, we show the connections between those variables and argue for their inclusion into mediation research to explain and predict the probability of a mediators’ entry. This study aims to overcome the lack of measurability concerning contexts and conditions and gives a starting point for future scales, which can be included in empirical research. Through this, more comprehensive and realistic practical recommendations can be achieved for all three parties.