Relationship of Conflict, Conflict Avoidance, and Conflict Resolution to Psychological Adjustment

Bibliographic Data

ID13664110
AuthorsMadeline J Bruce (0000-0002-8833-2442, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Deparment of Psychiatry, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA, corresponding author), Alexander Chang (0009-0008-7874-775X, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA), Luke Evans (0000-0002-7458-1720, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA), Luke N Evans (0000-0002-6102-6429, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA), Madison Streb (Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA), Jewell Dehon (Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA), Paul J Handal (Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA)
Year2022
Volume127
Issue5
Pages2324-2333
Publication date2022-12-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00332941221146708
PMID36520593
OpenAlexW4311585868
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited13

Background: Conflict has deleterious effects on the adjustment of children, adolescence, and emerging adults. The literature is less robust on the adverse effects of conflict avoidance on adjustment as well as the beneficial effect of resolution in these age groups. The literature is markedly sparser on these relationships in adults. Method: We recruited N = 1471 US adults between 18 and 86 years old ( M = 33.94, SD = 11.67). They primarily identified as White with 51% holding at least a bachelor's degree. Participants responded to the Perceived Family Conflict Subscale, Avoidant Conflict Scale, the Family Conflict Resolution Scale, and the Langner Symptom Survey. Results: A MANOVA modeling the four variables demonstrated a significant difference based on sex for the measure of distress and need for treatment ( Mwomen = 5.31, Mmen = 3.93, p Discussion: The deleterious effect of conflict and conflict avoidance were found in both adult men and women, thereby extending results found in children, teens, and young adults. Similarly, the beneficial effect of conflict resolution manifest in adult men and women, which had been found in young adults. Interventions aimed at reducing conflict avoidance and increasing conflict resolution skills should theoretically reduce stress

Conflict avoidance · Conflict resolution · Political science · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Psychology · Social Psychology