The Mediator’s Ego? Towards a Reflective Professional Identity. Implications of the Assumptions of Positive Disintegration Theory

Abstract

The article is conceptual and descriptive in nature and seeks to capture the role of the mediator’s ego in the mediation process through the lens of Kazimierz Dąbrowski’s theory of positive disintegration. The starting point is the observation that the ego of the mediator – although often overlooked in ethical codes and competency standards – plays a significant role in shaping the course and quality of mediation. The authors pose a research question concerning the impact of participation in mediations on the personal and professional development of the mediator, and subsequently formulate hypotheses suggesting that each mediation may serve as a stimulus for deep reflection and personal growth. The authors apply the logical-linguistic method and the introspective perspective of mediation practitioners. The application of elements of the theory of positive disintegration enables a multi-level analysis of the mediator’s psychological processes and the identification of developmental moments with potential ethical and professional relevance. The originality of the study lies in transferring a psychological theory into the domain of mediation practice in light of ethical demands and in highlighting the need to systematically integrate the notion of “ego maturity” into training and normative models. Although the scope of the study is national, its conclusions are also relevant to mediators operating outside the Polish legal framework. The article contributes to the body of knowledge in mediation theory, particularly in the areas of professional ethics and approaches to (self)education of mediators.