What does changing a line on this map tell you—and what remains outside the model?
Use the four fictional networks to explore which relationships contribute to a calculation. Node positions and line colors organize the picture; warmth and friction are invented 1–10 inputs. A higher displayed index is an arithmetic result, not evidence that a household is safe, a child is coping well, or a parenting arrangement will succeed.
No family interviews, clinical assessments, observed behavior, custody factors or intervention outcomes are entered. The fixtures do not describe named public figures. The model cannot detect abuse or decide whether contact, mediation, counseling or a custody arrangement is appropriate. Safety concerns need individual assessment, regardless of the score.
In the default fictional network, total warmth is 25 and raw friction is 8. At mitigation 50, each friction value is multiplied by 1 − 50/150, leaving total friction 5.33. The displayed index rounds 100 × 25/(25 + 5.33) to 82%. Only the two lines attached to the child enter the ratio: support 9 + 7 = 16, adjusted friction (1 + 2) × 2/3 = 2, so the ratio is 8.0:1. Moving mitigation to 0 gives 76% and 5.3:1. These are model outputs, not measured improvement.
The child-edge ratio sums only lines whose source or target has role child. Adult-to-adult conflict is excluded even though children can be affected by parental conflict. This mismatch is why the badge is labeled a child-edge input ratio rather than child exposure or protection. AACAP advises avoiding pressure on children to take sides; that guidance does not establish a numeric ratio threshold. AACAP: Children and Divorce
The index is warmth divided by warmth plus adjusted friction, rounded and clamped to 15–99. Strain categories use adjusted total friction: Low at 6 or below, Moderate above 6 through 12, High above 12. The 70/45 color cutoffs, 2.5/1.2 ratio cutoffs and mitigation divisor 150 are authored rules, not validated clinical scales. At mitigation 100, one-third of raw friction remains; 100 does not mean conflict is eliminated.
AAP describes building a stepparent–child relationship gradually. AACAP highlights preserving existing parent–child connections while developing new relationships. A useful question for a map is: which relationship needs time, a clearer role or a conversation? Do not replace someone’s account with a slider rating. AACAP: Stepfamily Problems AAP: Becoming a Stepfamily
A map omits history, age, routines, each person’s perspective and whether a proposed discussion is safe. If a child shows ongoing distress, discuss those observations with their pediatrician or an appropriate mental-health professional. The referral is based on the child’s situation, not an index crossing a cutoff. AACAP: Children and Divorce
Reset View rearranges the graph and fits it; it does not reset ratings or mitigation. Presets replace the network but keep the mitigation slider. Add Member creates a parent-role node, connected to Parent A only in the default fixture; other presets add an isolated node, which changes no metric. Dragging nodes changes their positions, not the arithmetic.
The JSON stores graph elements, current metrics and mitigation, plus the model’s scope. The copied text is an illustrative snapshot, not an agreement, clinical report or legal recommendation. Keep real names and sensitive details out of shared files unless you have an appropriate reason and permission.
Communication, parental conflict and seeking help for distress; not a validation of this model.
Adjustment and preserving family relationships; no numerical stability score.
Gradual relationship building and role adjustment; not a prescription generated from sliders.