Relation Between Conflict Management Strategies and Family Assessment Devices in Multicultural Setting

Summary & key facts

This study surveyed 362 university students in Kosovo to see how their ways of handling conflict relate to family functioning. Students most often used compromising (M = 3.68) and least often used withdrawing (M = 2.98). The authors report small statistical links between some conflict strategies and family functioning, and they say these links differ a bit by ethnic group.

Key facts:

• Sample: 362 university students (183 female, 179 male). Ethnic breakdown: Kosovo Turks 58.6%, Albanians 23.8%, Bosnians 17.7%.
• Conflict strategy averages: compromising was highest (M = 3.68) and withdrawing was lowest (M = 2.98).
• On the Family Assessment Device, scores were below 2.0 (interpreted as healthy) for problem-solving, communication, roles, affective responsiveness, and general functioning; affective involvement (M = 2.29) and behavioral control (M = 2.12)
• The study found significant ethnic differences in communication (F(2,144) = 3.158, p = .045, η² = .020) and behavioral control (F(2,149) = 4.109, p = .018, η² = .018). There were no significant ethnic differences in conflict strategies.
• Path analysis results reported that withdrawing strategies were associated with worse family functioning (authors reported β = .113–.143) and smoothing strategies were associated with better family functioning (authors reported β = -.139 to
• Conflict management strategies together explained only 1.6% to 4.3% of the variance in family functioning (R² = .016–.043), which the authors describe as small effect sizes.
• The study used a cross-sectional design and self-report scales (Conflict Management Strategy Scale and Family Assessment Device), which the authors note limits how broadly the results can be applied and how strongly cause-and-effect can be

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between conflict management strategies and family functioning among university students from diverse ethnic backgrounds in the multicultural context of Kosovo. A cross-sectional design was used with 362 university students (183 female, 179 male) comprising K

Topics

Attachment and Relationship Dynamics Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development Conflict Management and Negotiation

Categories

Psychology Social Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Academic achievement Computer science Conflict management Database Mathematics education Multicultural education Multiculturalism Pedagogy Psychology Relation (database) Social science Sociology