2005 Public awareness of mediation
This page contains an outline of this research, and a summary of the key findings. Details of how to find the full report can be found at the bottom of the page.
Title
“Report of an Omnibus Survey on Public Awareness and Perceptions of Mediation in Scotland”
What is it about?
The research examined the awareness and perceptions of mediation amongst the Scottish population in terms of age groups, socio-economic status and gender.
Who did it?
The research was commissioned by the Scottish Consumer Council and carried out by TNS System Three. The Scottish Omnibus Survey was used for data collection. A sample of 1016 adults aged over 16 was interviewed during the period 27 January–2 February 2005. The report was published in March 2005.
Key findings
Awareness of mediation:
- Awareness is not widespread. Although more than half (57%) of respondents had heard of mediation, 43% had not.
- Younger respondents were less likely to have heard of mediation (only about one-third of 16–24 year olds), as were members of lower socio-economic groups. In contrast, 69% of those in the 55–64 age group had heard of mediation, as had 73% of those from higher socio-economic groups.
- There were slight geographic differences in awareness, with those in the West of Scotland less aware than those in other regions. Interestingly, those in the West were more likely to consider using mediation in spite of having been less likely to have heard of it.
- A majority of respondents (two-thirds) identified the correct definition of mediation as “an independent person listening to both parties involved in a dispute and helping them to come to an agreement”.
Perceptions of mediation:
- A majority (59%) said they would consider mediation as a means to resolve a dispute; however, a significant figure (38%) said they would not, and a further 3% did not know.
- Men and women were equally likely to consider using mediation.
- Those who said they would consider mediation were most likely to consider using it for a dispute with an employer (47%) or a neighbour (43%). Only about one-third would consider using mediation for a dispute over goods and services (35%), about family matters (32%) and over children’s education (32%).
- There were slight differences between men and women as to the types of disputes they would consider using mediation for. Men were found to be more likely to consider mediation for disputes with an employer or over goods and services. Women were more likely to consider mediation for disputes about family and relationship matters; with a doctor or health authority, and with their child’s school or local authority.
