Building bridges through learning as mediation parties’ lived experiences

An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Authors

  • Timea Tallodi University of Salford

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/mtp.29960

Keywords:

mediation, lived experience, phenomenology, interview study, learning, insight, reappraisal, interpretive pheomenological analysis

Abstract

While abundant literature has been devoted to describe mediation, there is little research exploring how parties perceive and make sense of the process. This article reports two associated main themes from an innovative qualitative research project conducted to understand the lived experiences of parties to mediation using interpretative phenomenological analysis for the first time in the literature. The findings present (1) learning as the key experience of participants in mediation, a so far neglected angle of the process, and (2) the mediator’s compassionate approach involving conveying ample understanding and sensitivity toward parties’ needs and concerns as facilitating learning. Meanings and fresh concepts have been generated through sensitive and careful analysis of the cases, providing a rich portrait of the dynamics of learning, and the way learning bridges differences between the sides. Implications for mediators and research are outlined.

Author Biography

  • Timea Tallodi, University of Salford

    Dr Timea Tallodi is currently a lecturer of law and people management at Salford Business School. Timea completed mediation training programmes and gained practical experience as a mediator in the USA (Anderson School of Management, University of New Mexico) and Hungary. She holds a doctoral degree in mediation (PhD in psychology and law) from the University of Hull, UK, a master’s degree in psychology from Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, and a law degree (JD) from ELTE, Budapest.

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Published

2017-01-16

Issue

Section

Research Articles

How to Cite

Tallodi, T. (2017). Building bridges through learning as mediation parties’ lived experiences: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Mediation Theory and Practice, 1(2), 155-179. https://doi.org/10.1558/mtp.29960