A study tested a theoretical model using data from court-ordered sessions about the utility of divorce mediation. Subjects, 974 couples who had filed for divorce with potential child-custody disputes, were informed about the process of mediation as a means to settle their custody disputes rather than relying on the court system to resolve their custody and visitation conflicts. Counselors described the mediation process, answered questions, and showed a videotape entitled "Don't Forget the Children." Five measures were created to test the theoretical model: caring about/focusing on children's relational, school, home problems (concern for children); communication skills; feelings about self; stress; and expectations about mediation. Results indicated that concern for children and expectations about mediation impacted on a successful outcome. Major predictors of stress were feelings about self (self esteem) and communication skills. Findings suggest affirmation for the importance of communication as an element contributing to the success of mediation. The prospects for communication scholars to play a meaningful role in improving family communication during the process of divorce are challenging. (Contains 28 references, 1 figure, and 3 tables of data.) (RS)