Transformative mediation in interdisciplinary solutions to marital crises: a comparative analysis of the approaches of the church and society

Contemporary postmodern society faces growing dynamics of family conflicts that require complex and
interdisciplinary solutions. Today, marital crisis is not only a legal or social problem, but also a profound
existential and value challenge that affects both the conscience of the individual and the structure of the community. In this context, two worlds often collide—the secular sphere focused on pragmatic dispute resolution and the ecclesiastical environment oriented toward protecting the integrity of marriage and spiritual guidance. The aim of this paper is to use comparative analysis to examine the similarities and differences in the resolution of marital crises from the perspective of the Church and society and to validate transformative mediation as an effective interdisciplinary tool. Attention is paid to the way in which this specific mediation model can bridge the differences between religious and secular approaches. Instead of seeking mechanical agreements, the paper focuses on transforming the quality of interaction between partners, which corresponds to the goals of pastoral care and modern dispute resolution. The result is the presentation of mediation as a functional “bridge” that allows conflict to be transformed into an opportunity for personal growth and deeper mutual recognition of the parties, bringing a new quality to the practice of interdisciplinary family dispute resolution.
Keywords: transformative mediation; marital crisis; church; interdisciplinarity; conflict