Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies Research Articles

Predictors of Marital Satisfaction Among Reproductive-Age Women Based on Personality Traits: A Study in Iran.

Marital satisfaction is a complex phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors, including personality traits, communication, conflict resolution, and economic stability. This study aims to examine the relationship between personality and marital satisfaction among reproductive-age women, exploring how these factors interplay and contribute to the overall dynamics of marital relationships. A cross-sectional study was conducted among reproductive-age women to assess marital satisfaction and personality traits using established assessment tools. The demographic data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and the relationship between personality traits and marital satisfaction was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Regression models were used to identify significant predictors of marital satisfaction, and the fit of the CFA model was evaluated using various indicators. The mean age of the participants was 33.7 (±8.09) years, while the mean age of their husbands was 38.3 (±9.27) years. The results showed that conscientiousness and agreeableness had significant positive associations with marital satisfaction. Communication and conflict resolution emerged as key components of marital satisfaction, with standardized coefficients of 0.894 and 0.818, respectively. Financial management was also found to be strongly related to marital satisfaction, indicating the importance of economic stability in maintaining marital harmony. The study underscores the significance of personality traits, communication, conflict resolution, and financial management in shaping marital satisfaction among reproductive-age women. The results suggest that interventions targeting improved communication and effective conflict-resolution strategies can enhance marital satisfaction. Additionally, addressing financial stressors and promoting economic stability could lead to better marital outcomes. These findings align with previous research, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to understanding and improving marital satisfaction. Further research is recommended to explore these relationships in different cultural contexts and with broader demographic groups.

Exploring the Interplay of Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Resolution Approaches in the IT Industry Workplace

This study investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and conflict resolution styles among IT professionals, while also exploring potential gender differences in these factors. A correlational design was employed with 200 participants aged 25-35 working in the IT sector in India. The Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test was used to test emotional intelligence, and a questionnaire was used to examine conflict resolution styles. The results revealed a significant negative correlation between EI and conflict resolution scores, indicating that higher EI was associated with lower conflict resolution scores. No significant gender differences were found in either EI or conflict resolution styles. These insights have implications for training programs and organizational practices aimed at fostering positive work environments and effective conflict resolution strategies in the IT industry.

Resolusi Konflik Sosial Antar Siswa Kelas V Dengan Pandangan Karl Marx di SDN Langkap 02 Jember

This study discusses the resolution of social conflict between fifth grade students with the view of Karl Marx at SDN Langkap 02 Jember. Social conflict is one of the problems that commonly occur in the school environment, including at SDN Langkap 02 Jember. Social conflict between fifth grade students at the school is usually caused by the role of parents, interpersonal problems, and bullying that often occurs in school. This study aims to examine the resolution of social conflict between fifth grade students using the view of Karl Marx. The method used in this study is a qualitative research method with data sources obtained through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The results of the study show that the resolution of social conflict between fifth grade students at SDN Langkap 02 Jember can be done using the view of Karl Marx. Karl Marx's view of social conflict can be used to understand the causes of social conflict, as well as to develop more effective conflict resolution strategies. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that schools implement social education that is oriented towards social structure change.

CORRELATION BETWEEN CULTURAL DIMENSIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON CONFLICT STYLE PREFERENCES

This paper offers a multifaceted exploration of the intricate interplay between cultural dimensions and preferences in conflict resolution styles. It delves into the profound influence of cultural values on the choices individuals make when managing conflicts, enhancing our understanding of this complex relationship. Defining culture and conflict as central constructs, the paper investigates several key cultural dimensions within Hofstede's framework. It focuses on individualism and collectivism, high and low power distance, and high and low uncertainty avoidance. Few studies cover the research on power distance and conflict style preference, underscoring the importance of understanding how individuals choose styles that align with their cultural norms, whether maintaining low or high power distance within their own cultures.
 The study uncovers the correlation between different cultural types and conflict management styles. In cases of individualism, there is a preference for an avoidance style of conflict management, while collectivist cultures typically lean towards compromising and obliging conflict styles. In situations marked by high power distance, members of high power cultures are more likely to adopt an avoidance conflict style. The research holds significance for managing intercultural conflicts across various contexts, particularly in the realms of global governance, international relations, and multicultural team management. The findings provide a valuable reference for managers striving to navigate intercultural tensions and promote effective conflict resolution strategies aligned with cultural values. While this study offers valuable insights, it highlights the need for further in-depth research on additional cultural dimensions. This paper contributes to understanding the intricate relationship between culture and conflict resolution. It serves as a guide for analyzing preferences in intercultural conflicts, promoting conflict resolution management in multicultural projects, and advancing cross-cultural cooperation and understanding. Continuous research in this field is essential for more effective conflict management in an increasingly diverse global landscape.

Lecturer – Student Conflicts in Universities: A Pathological Interrogation

The study examines the relationship that exists between lecturers and students a pathological interrogation. Findings have shown that conflict is normal, due to the rationality of human decision-making. Conflict most times indicated disjointedness in convergence, which is not in its self-harmful but part of a process to aid sound resolve and rational choices. The school environment, presents a formidable space for conflict to thrive due to the constant interface between the teacher and student, typically called classroom conflict. This study used the secondary sources of data collection, gaining insights from textbooks, journals, and online materials, effectively contextualizing conflict and conflict situation. The study proposed effective conflict resolution strategies, like collaborating, compromising, accommodating, understanding conflict and integration strategy.

Development and Testing of Psychological Conflict Resolution Strategies for Assertive Robots to Resolve Human-Robot Goal Conflict.

As service robots become increasingly autonomous and follow their own task-related goals, human-robot conflicts seem inevitable, especially in shared spaces. Goal conflicts can arise from simple trajectory planning to complex task prioritization. For successful human-robot goal-conflict resolution, humans and robots need to negotiate their goals and priorities. For this, the robot might be equipped with effective conflict resolution strategies to be assertive and effective but similarly accepted by the user. In this paper, conflict resolution strategies for service robots (public cleaning robot, home assistant robot) are developed by transferring psychological concepts (e.g., negotiation, cooperation) to HRI. Altogether, fifteen strategies were grouped by the expected affective outcome (positive, neutral, negative). In two online experiments, the acceptability of and compliance with these conflict resolution strategies were tested with humanoid and mechanic robots in two application contexts (public: n 1 = 61; private: n 2 = 93). To obtain a comparative value, the strategies were also applied by a human. As additional outcomes trust, fear, arousal, and valence, as well as perceived politeness of the agent were assessed. The positive/neutral strategies were found to be more acceptable and effective than negative strategies. Some negative strategies (i.e., threat, command) even led to reactance and fear. Some strategies were only positively evaluated and effective for certain agents (human or robot) or only acceptable in one of the two application contexts (i.e., approach, empathy). Influences on strategy acceptance and compliance in the public context could be found: acceptance was predicted by politeness and trust. Compliance was predicted by interpersonal power. Taken together, psychological conflict resolution strategies can be applied in HRI to enhance robot task effectiveness. If applied robot-specifically and context-sensitively they are accepted by the user. The contribution of this paper is twofold: conflict resolution strategies based on Human Factors and Social Psychology are introduced and empirically evaluated in two online studies for two application contexts. Influencing factors and requirements for the acceptance and effectiveness of robot assertiveness are discussed.

Enabling roles of relationship governance mechanisms in the choice of inter-firm conflict resolution strategies

PurposeThis study aims to present an integrated framework and investigate the enabling roles of governance mechanisms (i.e. contract, interdependence, trust and communication) in the choice of effective conflict resolution strategies (CRS) that in turn facilitate buyer–supplier relationship (BSR) performance.Design/methodology/approachUsing Web-survey, data are collected from 170 Finnish small- and medium-sized enterprises that have key relationships with suppliers. This study uses structural equation modeling to test the research framework and hypotheses of the study.FindingsThe results based on empirical evidence demonstrate how the firms’ choice of CRS depends on the governance mechanisms. The problem solving approach is the most preferable choice, while the legalistic approach remains the last resort influenced by different governance mechanisms. Interdependence and trust between firms drive them to compromise while resolving inter-organizational conflicts. The selected strategies by firms may also either reinforce or deteriorate relationship performance.Practical implicationsSupply chain managers should recognize the context in which these choices of CRS are made, as it guides them to anticipate their partner’s behavior as well as influences their strategy choice decisions when coping with conflicts. A trustworthy environment supports in providing a certain level of confidence while interdependency drives firms to compromise. The legalistic strategy can hurt the partner’s feelings and diminish relationship performance.Originality/valueConflicts in BSR have become inevitable, but the existing literature is missing evidence on how companies use CRS to enhance relationship performance. Hence, this study differs from those of earlier conflict studies, as it provides a more integrative perspective of buyer–supplier conflict resolution process. This study argues that relationship governance mechanisms can be connected to the choice of effective CRS when tensions arise. Moreover, by assessing the relationship between CRS and relationship performance, this study offers valuable insights to understand that effective strategies enable partners to mutually adapt constructive approaches that facilitate cooperative behavior and accommodate both parties’ interests and needs.

Frameworks for conflict mediation in international infrastructure development: A comparative overview and critical appraisal

Abstract While the extractive industries and related infrastructures are highlighted as key to economic development, they often come at a cost. Most projects involve a network of stakeholder parties; even though developers are allocating more resources to stakeholder engagement, conflict surrounding infrastructure development continues to rise. Whilst the causes of this paradox are numerous, ranging from the increasing demand for natural resources to the limited regulatory capacity of governments in the global south to oversee developers, they also highlight the lack of engagement with effective conflict resolution mechanisms. This paper undertakes a comparative review of 21 existing frameworks or “toolkits” presented by international organizations for avoiding and resolving mining-related conflicts in emerging markets. This review and analysis has four aims: i) to identify the dominant trends in frameworks that address conflict arising from the extractive industry and related infrastructural systems; ii) to identify the weaknesses and limitations of existing frameworks; iii) to assess opportunities for innovation that might increase the adoption of more effective conflict resolution strategies; iv) to forecast how existing frameworks may need to adapt and respond to emerging global shifts in development investments. Addressing these aims will contribute to a better understanding of how conflict resolution discourses, procedures, and strategies function in a sector that is critical to sustainable and equitable development.

Regulatory focus in relationships and conflict resolution strategies

Motives for security (prevention focus) and advancement (promotion focus) influence goal pursuit, but less is known about how such motives operate in the relationship domain. Regulatory focus in relationships (RFR) is a dispositional trait specific to relationship motives, whereby relationship promotion facilitates effective conflict resolution strategies, and relationship prevention leads to conflict avoidance. This research sought to examine if RFR operates in conjunction with commitment, a relationship motive, to facilitate outcomes during relationship conflict. A correlational survey of 701 romantically involved heterosexuals in Portugal and Croatia revealed an interaction between RFR and commitment on conflict resolution strategies. Results showed that relationship promotion (vs. prevention) was associated with more constructive resolution strategies (e.g., constructive accommodation, greater mutual negotiation and less mutual blame), but this effect was greater for highly (vs. less) committed individuals. High commitment also facilitated individuals predominantly focused on relationship prevention to engage in more mutual expression of feelings and negotiation. No interaction emerged for destructive accommodation. These patterns were similar across the two countries. Findings suggest the need to consider the interplay of RFR and commitment on different relationship outcomes.

Principals’ Conflict Resolution Strategies and Teachers’ Job Effectiveness in Public Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract The thrust of this study was to investigate the relationship between Principals’ conflict resolution strategies and teachers’ job effectiveness in public secondary schools. The area of the study was Akwa Ibom State. The specific purpose of this research was to find out if principals’ conflict resolution strategies namely cause identification and integration strategies relate to teachers’ job effectiveness in terms of classroom teaching, maintenance of classroom discipline and supervision of students’ academic activities. Two research questions were raised and were duly converted into two research hypotheses to guide the study. Correlational research design was adopted for the study. The sample size of the study consisted of one thousand and fifty(1,050) public secondary school teachers and two thousand, one hundred(2,100) Senior Secondary two students randomly sampled from the population of six thousand, two hundred and ninety three (6293) teachers and twenty thousand, five hundred and ten (20,510) students respectively. Data collected from the study’s instruments called Principals’ Conflict Resolution Strategies Questionnaire (PCRSQ) and Teachers’ Job Effectiveness Questionnaire (TJEQ) were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis. Results of the findings revealed that cause identification and integration strategies had significant relationship with teachers’ job effectiveness in terms of classroom teaching, maintenance of classroom discipline and supervision of students’ academic activities. In the light of these findings, it was recommended that the government should ensure that school principals are retrained regularly and constantly through school-based workshops, conferences, and seminars on effective conflict resolution strategies in-order to enhance teachers’ job effectiveness.

Commentary: Are siblings birds of a feather? – reflections on Jenkins et al. (2012)

Sibling relationships have garnered increasing research attention, though they still lag far behind parent–child and marital relations. As Jenkins and colleagues mention in their accompanying article (Jenkins, Rasbash, Leckie, Gass, & Dunn, 2012), the developmental sequelae of sibling relationship quality, including internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems, are well documented. Sibling conflict itself is also a persistent problem for many parents, frequently cited as a reason for attending family therapy, and sibling violence is the most common form of domestic abuse (Naylor, Petch, & Ali, 2011). For all of these reasons, identifying predictors of sibling relationship quality is important. Antecedents to sibling relationship quality are also valuable windows into the process of socialization within families. Traditional theories of socialization are top-down, giving parents both the power and responsibility to influence their children’s behaviour, including their relationships with one another. In support of this, research has consistently linked parent–child and sibling relationships (e.g. Pike, Coldwell, & Dunn, 2005). Taking this logic to its extreme, one would predict that where families include three or more children, the sibling relationships within families would be similar in character. That is, according to this top-down model, a mother and father in a high conflict marriage will likely engage in coercive, harsh parenting, and have children with poor quality sibling relationships (thankfully, the reverse would also be true). Until recently, the analytic tools have been lacking to incorporate more than two children per family in systematic, quantitative research. It was thus not possible to test the similarity of sibling relationships within families. Multi-level modelling applied to family data has made it feasible to tease apart betweenand within-family variance. In the present context, this enabled Jenkins and colleagues to quantify individual differences in sibling relationship quality into aspects shared by children in the same family (between-family effects) and those aspects unique to each sibling dyad within a family (within-family effects). This differentiation was the first goal addressed by the authors, with their emphasis being the identification of significant between-family variance. While significant betweenfamily variance was identified for both positive and negative aspects of sibling relationship quality, the within-family variance was also significant and greater in magnitude. This finding is not the main focus of the article, but I believe it to be the more important and groundbreaking result. This is only the second time that such an analysis has been reported, and the first time without mono-reporter bias. What does it mean? The moderate between-family effects are supportive of the traditional socialization perspective outlined above. But the larger within-family variance indicates that children from 3+ child families can and do experience different sorts of relationships with their different brothers and sisters. The implications of this finding are not limited to (relatively) large families. This result indicates that individual characteristics of the children themselves (such as personality, social competence, mental health, etc.), and the unique interaction of these characteristics among dyads accounts for the lion’s share of individual differences in sibling relationship quality. My point is not to let parents ‘‘off the hook,’’ especially as children’s characters develop within the context of parent–child relationships. However, family systems theory along with traditional socialisation theory has perhaps swung too far in the direction of holding parents responsible for their children’s behaviour, including their relationships with brothers and sisters. A positive outcome of recognizing that the antecedents to sibling relationship quality do not reside entirely with parents is that it may be possible to empower parents to engage in effective conflict resolution strategies without the concomitant blame. What of the second goal addressed by Jenkins and colleagues? Here the findings are not new: maternal malaise (depressive symptoms) and parenting were predictive of subsequent sibling relationship quality. However, these findings were contextualized as explaining between-family differences. Thus, the mechanism of these maternal factors is identified as operating at the level of the family – influencing the overall family climate, including the warmth and/or hostility of sibling relations. As the authors point out, such an approach could also be used to identify factors operating at the within-family level, and factors that interact across these levels. Specifying determinants of within-family variance in sibling relationships is foreshadowed by research on children’s experiences that are not shared with their siblings (see Turkheimer & Waldron, 2000). Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 53:6 (2012), pp 630–631 doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02536.x

“I Learned the Bad Things I'm Doing”: Adolescent Mothers' Perceptions of a Relationship Education Program

The purpose of this study was to explore what pregnant and parenting adolescent mothers felt they learned from a relationship education program. A total of 148 primarily Hispanic adolescent mothers who participated in the Strengthening Relationships Program took part in focus-group interviews. Narratives revealed that adolescent mothers perceived the program as effective in changing how they communicated and dealt with conflict with their partners. Specifically, they reported understanding the importance of communication and effective conflict-resolution strategies. In addition, narratives revealed adolescent mothers grew in self-awareness as a result of their program participation. These findings affirm the importance of providing relationship education to adolescent parents.

The Influence of Training Focus and Trainer Characteristics on Diversity Training Effectiveness

We examined the influence of training focus (similarities or differences) and trainer characteristics (race and sex) on the effectiveness of a diversity training program. An examination of the results reveals that when the training content focused on similarities among individuals, trainees expected fewer instances of backlash and chose more effective conflict resolution strategies than their counterparts whose training content focused on differences among individuals. Trainer race and sex had no impact on trainee evaluations when the course was focused on similarities, whereas trainees in the course highlighting differences responded least favorably to the White male trainer. Further, the purported importance of trainee reactions is supported by evidence of its mediating role between training focus and affectively based learning criteria. We discuss implications and directions for future research.

Psychophysiological perspective on presence: The implications of mediated environments on relationships, behavioral health and social construction.

As technologies are increasingly being used to deliver educational curricula and health care services, presence becomes an essential construct for psychologists to assimilate. Presence, or the sense of “being there” in a mediated environment, has implications for the development of new behavioral health interventions; improved approaches for performance and education; and, for the promotion of new strategies for healthier lifestyles. Understanding the essential components of presence may allow us new insights into interpersonal relationships, improved communications, more effective conflict resolution strategies, and in determining how to better teach compassion, empathy, and prosocial behavior. This article discusses the general construct of presence, defines psychophysiological determinants of presence, addresses the quantification of presence, describes “optimal” presence, and presents future directions for research and clinical applications.

Conflict Resolution

This study examined (a) sex differences in adolescents' conflict resolution with mothers, fathers, and siblings; (b) how adolescents' personal qualities and the nature of their family relationships relate to effective conflict resolution with family members; and (c) the direct role of conflict resolution in adolescents' adjustment and the moderating role of conflict resolution in the relationship between conflict with family members and adolescents' adjustment. Participants were 92 girls and 93 boys (mean age = 14.5 years) and their parents and siblings. Findings indicated that girls and boys used less effective conflict resolution strategies with siblings than with mothers or fathers and that adolescents' personal qualities were linked with effective conflict resolution. Effective conflict resolution was generally linked to better adjustment. Evidence for the role of conflict resolution effectiveness as a moderator was limited. Findings are discussed in terms of similarities and differences in adolescents' relationships with mothers, fathers, and siblings.

Exploring children’s responses to interpersonal conflict using bubble dialogue in a mainstream and EBD school

This paper discusses an investigation of the use of a computer application, Bubble Dialogue, to construct a narrative which reflects the child’s view of the world. In particular it reports on a comparative study of how a group of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties and children who attend a mainstream school use Bubble Dialogue to express themselves and the strategies used by the children to resolve interpersonal conflicts. The results show that both groups of children were able to make good use of the thought/speech distinction which is a special feature of Bubble Dialogue, and both groups made disclosures, but there were differences in the type of disclosures made. Analysis of conflict resolution strategies revealed that both groups could used a range of strategies but the pattern of preference differed between the groups. In particular the children with emotional and behavioural difficulties issued more orders and resorted to physical aggression. It is suggested that Bubble Dialogue may therefore be a good tool for practitioners to use to reveal children’s perspectives and also for the children themselves to rehearse more appropriate and effective conflict resolution strategies.

Articulated Cognitive Distortions and Cognitive Deficiencies in Maritally Violent Men

Twenty maritally violent (MV) and 20 maritally satisfied, nonviolent men (SNV) participated in an Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations (ATSS) assessment. Participants listened to audiotaped interpersonal interactions and articulated their thoughts at 30-second intervals. As predicted by Holtzworth-Munroe’s (1992) information processing model of marital violence, MV participants emitted more global irrational beliefs and automatic thoughts, especially in response to interactions designed to induce anger. MV men also emitted a greater number of specific cognitive distortions (Demandingness, Low Frustration Tolerance, Global Self/Other Ratings, Arbitrary Inference, Overgeneralization, Magnification, and Dichotomous Thinking statements). In contrast, SNV men emitted more Anger Control statements during anger arousal, indicating that MV men may have a deficiency in generating effective conflict resolution strategies. Implications of these data in terms of information processing theories of marital anger and aggression are discussed.

Conflict as social interaction: Building relationship skills in child care settings

Learning the skills to build relationships is an important part of child development. Good relationship skills in childhood lay the foundation for healthy adult relationships. Young children’s relationships are characterized by a high degree of conflict, as children learn the cognitive skills of taking another’s perspective, thinking in terms of multiple attributes and anticipating the consequences of their actions. Children who learn to resolve conflicts successfully become more popular and interact with other children more frequently and for longer periods of time as they grow older, thus practicing interpersonal skills more frequently and consolidating their advantage. This project looks at the conflicts in which young children engage in group care settings. The aim is to understand the children’s meanings of conflict by observing their behavior in context. Understanding the meanings of conflict for children can inform caregivers’ strategies for guiding their behavior and for developing effective conflict resolution strategies in children.

Gender Issues in the Implementation and Evaluation of a Violence-Prevention Curriculum

After two years of a three-year evaluation of a violence-prevention program implemented in two elementary schools, it appears that the program may produce a decline in conflictevents and offer students, as well as teachers, options for conflict resolution. But the prescribed resolution skills and strategies may be most effective in decreasing forms of conflict most common among male students; the more covert, less physical behaviour typical of conflict involving female students may be more difficult for observers to detect and less likely to be targeted for resolution through program strategies. Consequently, male students may appear responsible for an inordinate number of conflicts, whereas female peers may be engaging in conflicts that observers neither detect nor mediate. D’apres l’evaluation, au bout de la deuxieme annee, d’un programme de trois ans visant a prevenir la violence dans deux ecoles primaires, il semble que ce programme peut reduire le nombre de situations conflictuelles et offrir aux eleves ainsi qu’aux enseignants des options en matiere de resolution de conflits. Toutefois, les competences et strategies pronees reussissent peut-etre mieux a diminuer les types de conflits les plus courants chez les eleves de sexe masculin; les comportements plus secrets, moins physiques, qui sont typiques des conflits mettant en jeu des filles, peuvent etre plus difficiles a deceler et donc moins susceptibles de faire l’objet de strategies de resolution. Les eleves de sexe masculin peuvent ainsi sembler responsables d’un nombre excessif de conflits alors que leurs pairs de sexe feminin sont peut-etre engagees dans des conflits que les observateurs ne voient pas et ne cherchent pas a regler. To provide more students with effective conflict-resolution strategies and skills, many elementary schools are implementing resolution models such as Second Step: A Violence Prevention Curriculum (Committee for Children, 1992a, 1992b). A three-year study in two Winnipeg elementary schools is generating evidence that adoption of the Second Step curriculum may lead to a decline in student conflicts and provide students and teachers with new options for dealing with conflicts. However, another finding of the study is that male and female students tend to engage in dissimilar forms of conflict. There are also indications that unless conflict resolution strategies and skills prescribed by the Second Step curriculum are used meticulously, teachers may be more likely to focus attention and instruction on the types of conflicts most frequently engaged in by male students. Furthermore, it is evident from this study that any assessment of Second Step’s efficacy in reducing conflict must recognize both overt and covert forms of conflict.