Conflict Resolution Processes in Close Relationships

Abstract

A theoretical model is proposed to illuminate the processes of conflict resolution in close relationships. The model includes individual differences, relationship norms, attributions, and influence strategies. A set of questionnaires including measures of gender role, allocen-trism-idiocentrism values and attitudes, exchange-orientation, exchange-communal behavior, marital attribution style, social influence strategies, and relationship quality, was developed. Samples are 100 Chinese couples in Taiwan, 100 Chinese and 100 American couples in Minnesota, USA The data were analyzed by a structural equation modeling design, which essentially integrates confirmatory factor analysis with path analysis. The degree to which obtained data fit a conceptual model can be evaluated. As a result, the initial models were revised by dropping some nonsignificant factors, and revised models were generated by re-specification. Generally the findings provide substantial support for the revised models. First, across all the samples there is strong and consistent evidence that relationship norms affect couples' attribution style, which in turn affects the choice of conflict resolution strategies and marital satisfaction and commitment. Couples who establish more exchange oriented (rather than communal oriented) relationship norms, attribute their marital conflicts in a more personally self-serving and spouse-blaming way. Second, self-serving and spouse-blaming attribution styles decrease marital relationship quality and lead to more use of negative influence strategies like contending and avoiding, and less use of positive influence strategies like yielding and confrontation. Third, the social influence strategy factor does not play a successful mediating role between attribution and relationship quality, although some findings still partially support the hypotheses. In addition, cultural and gender differences are discussed.