The International Journal of Indian Psychology

ISSN 2348-5396 (e) | ISSN: 2349-3429 (p)

Volume 3, Issue 2, No.6, DIP: 18.01.112/20160302
ISBN: 978-1-329-91038-6
http://www.ijip.in | January - March, 2016

Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship

Satisfaction between Couples

Eyob Ayenew 1*

ABSTRACT

Background: Relationship researchers have focused on the frequency of conflict in couples’

relationships and the manner in which couples engage in and try to resolve conflicts. Conflict
occurs regularly in most close relationships and dealing with conflict, under some conditions,
may facilitate the development and maintenance of intimacy and satisfaction in a relationship.
Regardless of this understanding, very little is known about individual’s characteristics of
conflict resolution behavior that bring into couples relationship satisfaction. Objective:. The
purpose of this study is to examine individual’s characteristics in conflict resolution behavior and
its effect on couple relationship satisfaction. Methodology: A total of 306 (159 female and 147
male) participants were included from community sample. Three Kebeles in Yeka sub-city of
Addis Ababa were selected randomly. Data were collected on relationship satisfaction and
conflict resolution behavior of couples. The constructs were measured by Relationship
Assessment Scale (RAS, Hendrick, 1988 and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II
(ROCI-II, Rahim, 1983). Pearson correlation and standard multiple regressions were run to
check association and prediction among variables under study respectively. Result: The result
confirmed that statistically significant correlation was found between/among most
variables/constructs in the study. The standard regression revealed that conflict resolution
behavior predicted relationship satisfaction. Particularly integrating, dominating and avoiding
conflict type of conflict resolution styles predicted relationship satisfaction individually.
Conclusion: It is therefore, possible to conclude that all the conflict resolution style sub scales
predicted relationship satisfaction significantly.

Keywords: Conflict Resolution Style, Relationship Satisfaction, Couples

Close relationships are essential to health and well-being. The capacity to form intimate
relationship with others is considered as an essential developmental task and a principal feature
of effective personality development (Bowlby, 1988; Cassidy, 2001; Loubser, 2007).
Consequently, people strive to have successful intimate (couple) relationships, yet for centuries,

1
PhD, Developmental Psychology, Assistant Professor, Addis Ababa University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
*Responding Author
© 2016 I E Ayenew; licensee IJIP. This is an Open Access Research distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any Medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

the exact manner in which to accomplish this has remained an enigma. In fact a great deal is
known about the inner working of the couple relationship today than the previous times. Couple
relationship is the emotional (eg. cohabitation) or emotional and legal (marriage) commitment
between two opposite sex individuals to share emotional and physical intimacy, a variety of tasks
and economic resources.

Marriage has long been an important social institution by forming family which occupies a
central place in the lives of men, women, and children around the world. The fact that family is
"a source of support, and sometimes an obstacle, to individual and collective achievements; a
unit of economic production and consumption; an emotional haven that can sometimes be a
source of emotional strain; and a vehicle for extending care giving and culture across the
generations, for better and for worse ( Laura, Lippman and Wilcox, 2013).

Nevertheless, research finding indicated that being involved in a relationship in terms of

marriage, even in cohabitation improves the well-being of both men and women in the family
(McKeown, 2001). Some of the most informing evidences on the importance of marriage
emerged from studies of the factors, which contribute to individual well-being. For instance in
the United States of America, the general social survey has measured well-being over a period of
25 years (1972-1998) using the following question: “Taken all together, how would you say
things are these days? Are you very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy” (Fowers, 1998)? In
Britain, a broadly similar question was used in Eurobarometer surveys to measure well-being
over the same period which states “on the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very
satisfied, or not at all satisfied, with the life you lead” (Theodossiou, 1998). In both countries,
controlling for a number of socio-economic variables, being married (rather than single,
separated, widowed or even remarried) had a more powerful impact on well-being than either
income or employment. Similar results have been found in other countries, expressing marriage
positively being happier than others (Sweeney, 1998).

Moreover, there is a striking consistency in the results of the different studies. A 17-nation study
of the factors associated with feeling happy found that the three predictors of happiness, in their
order of importance, were feeling healthy, feeling financially secure and being married (Stack
and Eshleman, 1998). In the case of marriage, this study reported that married persons have a
significantly higher level of happiness than persons who were not married, even when all key
socio-economic variables are controlled.

Marriage is the privileged institute in Africa too. In fact Africa is one continent with several
worlds. Marriage in Africa has been commonly described as early and universal and this
situation has partially been blamed for the persistence of high fertility in the region. In Africa,
marriage patterns vary across and within countries among different ethnic groups. Such
variations could be due to both cultural and socio-economic factors. Although it varies, the major
aspect of marriage is to maintain and continue personal and social well being. A study

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

(Tiliouine, 2009) conducted in Algeria on health and subjective well being revealed that there is
an association between marriage and personal well being.

Marriage in Ethiopia is one of the respected social phenomena as a rite of passage and forming
well being that many people are going to engage. For instance, the result of the 2007 census
(SCA, 2007) showed that 50 percent of the population was married from age of ten and only
three percent divorced. However, it is important to remember that the simple presence of a
spouse is not necessarily protective. A troubled marriage is itself a prime source of stress and
dissatisfaction while simultaneously limiting the partner’s ability to seek support in other
relationships. One of the prime causes that make a relationship in trouble is conflict resolution
approach.

Researchers argue that conflict only results in relationship dissatisfaction and breakdown if
couples are ill equipped to solve or dissolve it (Markman, Stanley and Blumberg, 1994;
Gottman, 1997; Hanzal and Segrin, 2011). Markman et al., (2011) have developed and
researched this idea and summarized, contrary to popular belief, it is not how much you love
each other that can best predict the future of your relationship, but how conflicts and
disagreements are handled. Unfortunately, conflict is inevitable and cannot be avoided. So if
someone wants to have a satisfying marriage, he/she would better learn to fight right (Markman
et al., 1994). The idea was further strengthened by John Gottman in his popular saying,
“Through my long years of research, I come up with a conclusion that marriage resulted in
divorce due to couple’s failure to resolve conflict that is inevitable in a relationship” (Gottman,
1997, pp.103).

However, research works done on the role of conflict resolution styles on relationship
satisfaction have been disregarded. Although unanimously disliked, conflict resolution styles
functions as an opportunity to resolve differences between relational partners which lead to
relationship satisfaction (Shi, 2003; Plessis, 2006; Feeny, 2008). That is the basic reasons for the
present researcher to focus on the effect of conflict resolution styles on relationship satisfaction.

RESEARCH METHODS AND MATERIAL

Study Area
The study area is Addis Ababa and was selected purposively. Addis Ababa represents a
heterogeneous population in many social characteristics. The study included is heterosexual
couples. Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia established in 1886. It is geographically
located at the heart of the country. It accommodates about 35% of the total urban population in
Ethiopia. Addis Ababa City has a total population of 2,738,248 with a growth rate of 2.1 percent
per annum (additional 57,503 people per year), where around 52% of the populations composed
of children and adolescents below age 25. From the total population, 48 percent are males and 52
percent are females (CSA, 2007). There is a seven year gap and recently the total population of

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

Ethiopia assumed to reach to 90 million and the population of Addis Ababa also has increased.
However, official documents are not yet revealed.

Addis Ababa City is divided into 10 Sub-cities; again the Sub-cities are divided in to 99 Kebeles.
There is a disparity in Sub-city population distribution which shows uneven distribution. The
whole population is urban dweller. The majority of the city population lives in Kolfe Keranyo
(15.6%) and Yeka (12.6%), while Arada (7.7%) and Akaki Kality Sub City (6.7%) have the
smallest share from the city's total population.

Research Design and Population

A no experimental explanatory design was used to investigate the question of interest. The
design is no experimental because there is no manipulation of independent variables, which were
investigated in the study. In this design, the levels or categories of the independent variables
were already defined or classified so that the researcher has no opportunity to manipulate or
randomly assign individuals to certain groups. It is explanatory since the objective of the study is
to test hypotheses derived from a given theoretical orientation. Moreover, cross-sectional method
was used to collect data at a time to make comparisons across different categories of
respondents. The target population of this study was adult heterosexual couples while the study
population was adult heterosexual couples in Addis Ababa Administrative City. The study site
overview and sampling techniques are presented hereafter.

Sample Size Determination and Sampling Procedure

To determine the size of population having the attribute that is couple relationship (married)
Central Statistics Authority (CSA, 2007), 50% was used. Therefore, for s ingle proportion
population, to derive the sample size in relation to the total populations sizes the proportional
distribution of the attributes taken in to consideration i.e. 50 %. Then at 95% confidence interval
and +/- 5 % significance level the sample size calculated became 384. Thus, 384 married
(cohabited) from a total of 384 households were included in the study.

𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
n= {Z2 x 𝑑𝑑 2
}
Where: n = sample size

z = Confidence interval (95%)

p = Expected prevalence (as fraction of 1)
q = 1- p (expected non-prevalence)
d = relative desired precision

Yeka sub city was taken purposely among the 10 Woredas in Yeka sub city, three were selected
using simple random sampling method. To reach households which are the analysis unit of the
study, systematic simple random sampling was used based on the sampling frame obtained from
Keble household registration database.

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

Data Collection Tools and Process

The researcher used a demographic questionnaire and two structured questionnaires. The
demographic questionnaire contains nine items that elicits personal information from each
respondent. The structured questionnaire includes: Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised
(ECR-R), to collect data on adult attachment experience and Rahim Organizational Conflict
Inventory-II (ROCI-II), to make inventory on how respondents resolve conflicts with their
partners.

Conflict resolution styles

Rahim Conflict Resolution Inventory was used to collect data regarding conflict resolution styles
of couples. The instrument contains 28 items and five styles of handling conflict in a 5-point
Likert scale. The conflict handling styles are; integrating, obliging, dominating, compromising
and avoiding conflict. Higher score in integrating and compromising indicates functional conflict
resolution style while higher score in obliging, dominating and avoiding conflict indicates
dysfunctional conflict resolution style.

Relationship Satisfaction
Relationship Assessment Scale (Hendrick, 1988), was used to asses intimate relationships
including dating, cohabiting and engaged couples. This unifactorial Relationship Assessment
Scale (RAS; Hendrick, 1988) assesses satisfaction in romantic relationships. The 7-item RAS
contains questions about satisfaction with one’s partner, the relationship as a whole and the
extent to which needs are met within the relationship. The RAS employs a 5-point Likert scale
ranging from low satisfaction to high satisfaction and yields one total RAS score ranging from 7
to 35; higher scores correspond with greater relationship satisfaction.

Open-ended Questions
To capture the personal opinion and to answer some research questions that could not be covered
by the structured questionnaire or to supplement it, some open-ended items were prepared. These
open-ended questions were focused on the factors that contribute to relationship conflict and the
impact of conflict resolution styles on couple relationship satisfaction. The intention was to
compensate the drawback of structured questionnaire by letting respondents to express their
personal opinion, attitude and experience freely in their own words.

Methods of Data Analysis

Prior to conducting the analyses, the data collected were examined for accuracy of data entry,
normality, missing values and collinearity. The data were found to have dependable data, normal
distribution, no significant missing values and the scales and subscales which were considered as
independent variables were not collinear. Person correlation was run to examine the relationship
adult attachment and conflict resolution style. Multiple regressions were run with attachment
anxiety and attachment avoidance as the independent variables and conflict resolution styles
(integrating, compromising, obliging, dominating and avoiding conflict) as dependent variables.

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

Moreover, MANOVA was used to compare the conflict resolution styles of male and female
research participants.

RESULTS
Demographic Data (Categorical) (n=306)
Demographic Variable Frequency Valid Percent
1. Sex
Female 157 51.3
Male 149 48.7
Total 306 100
2. Age
20- 25 years old 21 6.9
26-40 years old 218 71.9
41-60 years old 56 18.5
>60 years old 8 2.6
Total 303 100
3. Marital status
Married 245 81.1
Cohabited 19 6.3
Divorced 7 2.3
Single 30 9.9
Total 302 100
4. Duration in relationship
< a year 6 2.2
1-5 years 105 39.2
6-10 years 65 24.3
>10 years 92 34.3
Total 268 100

The majority (71.9 %) of the respondents were in the age category of 26 to 40 years old, which is
relatively in early adulthood category of chronological age. The other 56 (18.5%) fall in the age
category of 41-60 years old which is congruent to the chronological age of middle adulthood.
Therefore, most, 90.2% of the respondents were in early and middle adulthood chronological
age. The majority, 245 (81.1%) of the respondents reported that they are married, 30 (9.8%)
reported that they are single, 19 (6.2%). Thirty nine percent of the respondents reported that they
are in a relationship for one to five years, while 92 (34.2%) of the respondents reported that they
are in a relationship for more than 10 years.

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

Level of Education and Income (n=306)

Variables Frequency Valid Percent
1. Education Level
Below high school 9 3.0
High school complete 66 21.9
Diploma/Certificate holders 108 35.9
First degree holders 86 28.6
Above first degree holders 32 10.6
Total 301 100
2. Monthly Income
No Income 10 3.7
500-1000 birr 15 5.6
1001-1500 birr 30 11.2
1501-2000 birr 20 7.4
2001-2500 birr 32 11.9
>2500 birr 162 60.2
Total 269 100
Approximately 36% of the respondents were diploma/certificate holders, while 28.6% and 21.9
% were first degree holders and those who did finish high school (grade 10/12) respectively.
Around 11% respondents hold their second degree and above. This implies that more than 75.5%
of the respondents in the present study are trained in different fields with diploma and above.
Moreover, 60.2% of the respondents earned more than 2500 Ethiopian birr per month while
11.9% of the respondents reported of getting 2001-2500 per month (Table 5). This implies that
72% of the research participants earned more than 2000 birr per month.

Correlation between Demographic, Independent and Dependent Variables

Pearson correlations were run between the demographic variables of age, education level,
monthly income and relationship duration with the independent and dependent variables as
follows in Table 6.

Table 6: Pearson Correlation between the Demographic Variables and the Independent and
Dependent Variables
IN OB DO AC CO RS
Age -.067 .020 0.039 .039 .086 -.010
Level of Education .052 .058 -.075 -057 -.038 -.017
Monthly Income .116* .051 -.168** -.177** .135* .208**
Relationship duration -.069 .000 -.014 -.014 .097 .043
Two-tailed significance: *p<0.01; **p<0.001
Note: IN=Integrating, OB=Obliging DO=Dominating, AC=Avoiding Conflict, CO=Compromising,
RS=Relationship Satisfaction.

Age and relationship duration were not statistically significant association with any of the
independent and dependent variables included in the study. Moreover, sex has no statistically
significant relationship with any of the variables included except conflict resolution styles

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

(Integrating and dominating). There is statistically significant positive association between sex
and integrating style of conflict resolution styles (r=.184, p<.01), while sex has statistically
significant negative association with dominating style of conflict resolution styles (r=-.191,
p<.01). Level of education has no statistically significant association with couple’s relationship
satisfaction. Income level and conflict resolution styles have statistically significant association.
Income had statistically significant positive association with integrating type of conflict
resolution styles (r=.116, p<.01) and compromising type of conflict resolution styles (r=.135,
p<.01). Income also had statistically significant negative association with dominating and
avoiding conflict type of conflict resolution styles (r=-.168, p<.001 and r=-.177, p<.001)
respectively. Unlike education level, income has statistically significant positive association with
relationship satisfaction (r=.208, p<.001). Therefore, the analysis shows that income has better
association with the dependent and independent variables than any other demographic factors.

Factors Contributing to Couples’ Conflict

Open-ended question was forwarded for selected respondents (as key informants) to get relevant
information from couples as indicated in population. There are a number of factors stated by
research participants that contribute for conflict between couples. To name: income, lack of
transparency, unfaithfulness, communication problem, other’s interference, unfaithfulness,
alcohol and drug use, not respecting each other, male dominance behavior, decrease time spent
together, sexual dissatisfaction, age difference, income differences, difference in opinion,
cultural differences, religion, ethnicity, education level, lies, lack of deep love, not tolerating
each other, inability to control emotion, comparing ones’ marriage with others, lack of
forgiveness, male dominance behavior (lack of egalitarianism), jealousy, unrealistic expectations
and lack of self-confidence, were some of the factors contributed to couple conflict that has been
mentioned by many respondents. However, the following table summarizes the most significant
factors.
Frequency and Percentage of Factors Contributing to Couple Conflict (n=61)
S. No Variables Frequency Percent
1 Income 28 45.90
2 Lack of transparency 27 44.26
3 Unfaithfulness 23 37.70
4 Problems of communication 21 34.42
5 Others’ interferences 21 34.42
6 Male dominance behavior 17 27.87
7 Sexual Problems 11 18.03
8 Not respecting each other 9 7.74
9 Alcohol and drug use 9 14.75
10 Differences (Religion, ethnicity, age, beauty, 19 34.15
education level)
11 Others (ignorance, lies, jealousy, not tolerating each 30 49.18
other, comparing ones marriage with others, not
knowing each other well before marriage)

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

Bivariate Correlation of the Variables of Interest

Measures 1 2 3 4 5 6
IN 1
CO .55** 1
OB .46** .52** 1
DO -.30** -.07 -.07 1
AC .05 .23** .29** .17** 1
RAS .35** .25** .28** -.20** -.11 1
Correlations significant at the p<0.01 level are indicated by * and correlations significant at the
p<0.001 level are indicated by **

Note: IN=Integrating, OB=Obliging DO=Dominating, AC=Avoiding Conflict,

CO=Compromising, RAS=Relationship Satisfaction.

Conflict resolution styles subscales had statistically significant association with relationship
satisfaction. Therefore, relationship satisfaction is positively associated with integrating (r=.35,
p<.001), compromising (r=.25, p<.001), and obliging (r=.28, p<.001) and negatively associated
with dominating (r=-.20, p<.001).

Regressions of Conflict Resolution Styles on Relationship Satisfaction

Beta t p F R-Square
DV: Relationship satisfaction
IV: Integrating .212 2.899 .004
Compromising .078 1.111 .267 11.915 .178**
Obliging .179 2.639 .009
Dominating -.064 -1.077 .283
Avoiding conflict -193 -3.275 .001
Note: **p<0.001

In this regression analysis, integrating, obliging and avoiding conflict subscales of conflict
resolution styles contributed significantly for the prediction of relationship satisfaction. This
implies higher score in integrating style of conflict resolution styles was associated with higher
level of relationship satisfaction. Higher levels of obliging type of conflict resolution associated
with higher level of relationship satisfaction. Eventually, higher level of avoiding conflict style
of conflict resolution styles associated with lower level of relationship satisfaction. All the
subscales of conflict resolution styles contributed 17.8% of the variance of relationship
satisfaction. Overall, hypothesis two was confirmed. Conflict resolution styles is strong predictor
of relationship satisfaction.

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

Mean Scores and Standard Deviation Measures of Conflict resolution styles Sub-scales as a
Function of Sex

Integrating Compromising Obliging Dominating Avoiding

conflict
Group M SD M SD M SD M SD M SD
Female 27.92 5.05 14.46 2.85 22.24 3.63 12.19 3.45 19.82 4.23
Male 29.64 4.26 15.09 2.64 22.50 4.12 10.74 3.50 19.72 3.82

It appears that male respondents achieved higher mean score in integrating conflict resolution
styles (M=29.64, SD=4.26) than female respondents (M=27.92, SD=5.05). In Dominating type
of conflict resolution styles, female respondents achieved higher mean score in dominating
conflict resolution styles (M=12.19, SD=3.45) than male respondents (M=10.74, SD=3.50).
These indicate that statistically significant sex impacts were observed for integrating and
dominating conflict resolution styles but not in obliging, avoiding conflict and compromising
conflict resolution styles.

DISCUSSION
Education lets couples tolerate conflict happen in their relationship and give time for discussion
and reach in to consensus. However, level of education had no statistically significant association
with conflict resolution styles and relationship satisfaction. Based on the results of this study
level of education does not intervene with conflict resolution styles and relationship satisfaction.
in the contrary, level of education and relationship satisfaction had negative association though it
was weak (insignificant). This implies as education level increases, the satisfaction that couples
derive from their relationship tends to fall. This seems something unexpected and the possible
explanation may be individuals need and expectation became higher when one is educated more.

Income had statistically significant positive association with functional conflict approaches and
relationship satisfaction. Couples who earn better income have the likelihood of resolving
conflicts happened between themselves using integrating and compromising type of conflict
resolution styles. Therefore, level of income has positive contribution on couple’s conflict
resolution styles. The level of income has also statistically significant positive association with
relationship satisfaction. This implies couples who earn better income have the likelihood to
derive better relationship satisfaction or level of income has reasonable influence on couple’s
relationship satisfaction.

Previous studies show association between conflict resolution styles and relationship satisfaction
(Bumpass, 2002; Collins et al., 2006). In the present study statistically significant positive
association between relationship satisfaction and integrating, compromising and obliging type of
conflict resolution styles were found. The direct relationship between relationship satisfaction
and integrating and compromising was expected and supported by previous studies (eg. Plessis,

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

2006). It implies as couples exercised more of functional conflict approach (integrating and
compromising), their relationship strengthens and resulted in relationship satisfaction. However,
the direct and statistically significant positive relationship between relationship satisfaction and
obliging was different from the assumptions made. Obliging is considered as low self-concern
and high-concern with others, which resulted in dysfunctional conflict approach (Rahim, 1983;
Defrain and Olsen, 2003). Therefore, inverse association was expected and such relationship got
further elaboration later. Relationship satisfaction had negative association with dominating type
of conflict resolution, in which it deteriorates couples communication and result in low
relationship satisfaction.

The Causes of Couple Conflict

Researchers indicated that different factors contribute to conflict in couple relationship. The
present researcher also wanted to find out the actual and potential factors that contribute for
couple’s conflict in the present sample. Respondents listed and prioritized the factors that lead to
couple conflict. Money (income) was the first priority listed that leads couple to conflict. Income
earned was raised as a source of the problem in terms of its source (husband or wife earning),
imbalance of the husband and wife monthly earning and the management problem of either of
them were forwarded as the reason for income as a cause of couple conflict. Moreover, it was
stated that money as a source of conflict not only in terms of its shortage but also sometimes
excess money may become a source of conflict. Therefore, most disagreements between couples
are related to money and this was true in previous research reports too (Habtamu, 1998; Wilson
and Daly, 2001; Guerrero et al., 2001).

Lack of transparency was the second factor that has been prioritized by respondents. They were
complaining about lack of transparency between couples. Either of them or both lack the
experience to share what they are going to do or what they did. Actually this problem might have
resulted from or as a result of lack of communication and unfaithfulness. In one way or another,
these factors influence each other. If a partner is unfaithful, he/she could hardly be transparent
which in turn impair open communication between couples. Unfaithfulness brings jealousy, and
lack of transparency which possibly resulted in impaired communication and invites them to
spend even their free time separately. Previous research reports show lack of communication,
lack of transparency, unfaithfulness, jealousy (suspicious on adultery), not spending enough time
together and engaging in emotional or sexual infidelity were the major contributing factors for
couple’s conflict (Habtamu, 1998; Cinamon, 2006).

The other most important contributing factor that was observed from the present respondents’
response was interference. Just equal to lack of communication, others’ interferences were
reported as a serious problem that contributes to couples conflict. Mother, father, brothers, sisters
or friends from either side interfere in couple’s relationship. Especially female respondents were
strained on the interference of a husband’s mother or sister in couple relationship.

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Moreover, research participants pointed out that differences between couples like religion,
education level, ethnicity and age also contributed to couple conflict. Research participant’s
explained that at the start of romantic love, the religion and ethnicity differences were not
explicitly observed and discussed as an issue. However, the problem begins to be noticed when
couples start to live together and have a child or children. Couples start to forward ideas, imagine
thoughts and observe opinion differences that have never been raised earlier as an issue. They
also explained that it is unlikely to genuinely discuss and reach in to an agreement on matters
like religion and ethnicity. On these issues as respondents explained, they take their own side and
strived to protect themselves in one way or another. Even couples start to believe that such ideas
are impervious and could never be presented on the discussion table. It widens the difference
between couples and less likely to be transparent. Lack of transparency hinders proper
communication and dysfunctional conflict approach (dominating, avoiding conflict and obliging)
would follow. Eventually the common things that bind them deteriorate and common ideas
decrease and the emotional bond that ties them starts to loosen. Actually studies were not
available in this issue and the present researcher could not support with empirical evidence done
by other researchers.

Conflict Resolution Styles and Relationship Satisfaction

Conflict resolution styles has predictive impact on relationship satisfaction. Previous research
reports also indicated that couples engage in and try to resolve conflicts is one of the major
indicators of relationship functioning (Bumpass, 2002; Collins et al., 2006). Explicitly,
functional conflict approach will result in higher relationship satisfaction and dysfunctional
conflict approach will result in lower relationship satisfaction.

In the present research integrating, obliging and avoiding conflict subscales of conflict resolution
styles contributed significantly for the prediction of relationship satisfaction. Integrating is a
functional conflict approach which predicts directly the relationship satisfaction. Obliging and
avoiding conflict also predict individually relationship satisfaction as they are dysfunctional
conflict approach. This implies higher score in integrating style of conflict resolution styles was
associated with higher score in relationship satisfaction. Higher score in obliging type of conflict
resolution styles associated with higher score in relationship satisfaction. Eventually, higher
score in avoiding conflict style of conflict resolution styles is associated with lower core in
relationship satisfaction. Therefore, how both partners solve problems and cope with conflict not
only predicts whether a partnership will remain intact or break up, but also influences whether a
current relationship experienced is satisfactory or not (Gottman and Driver, 2005).

There has been a considerable amount of research showing that romantic relationships have
various correlates. Dysfunctional conflict approaches, such as dominating (personal attacks and
losing control) and avoiding (refusing to discuss the issue further and tuning the other partner
out), have been found to be negatively related to relationship satisfaction, whereas the functional
conflict approaches (integrating and compromising) supports a satisfied relationship partnership
(Kurdek, 1995; Marchand, 2004). However, findings regarding the conflict resolution styles of

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 Association of Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Satisfaction between Couples

obliging (giving in and not defending one’s position) were not as consistent (Kurdek, 1994) and
obliging was the one particular conflict resolution style least likely to be related to relationship
outcomes. However, obliging type of conflict resolution styles had direct predictive impact on
relationship satisfaction in the present research result. This might be due to the consistent
insisting of one’s couple to calm conflict might result in agreement which leads to satisfaction.

Gender and Conflict Resolution Styles

Comparison on conflict resolution style of men and women were done using MANOVA.
Gender differences were found in integrating and dominating type of conflict resolution styles.
However, there was no significant mean difference between male and female respondents in
compromising, avoiding conflict and obliging type of conflict resolution styles. This implies
females were practicing dominant type of conflict resolution styles. Society has defined
femininity as being soft, weak, considerate, and expects females to be problems fixers in a
relationship and most of the time obliging type of conflict resolution styles. To many females, it
is their duty to approach their male partners for conflict resolution. However, being dominating
could be one consequence of anxiously attached females. As individuals become more anxious,
they start to be over activated and tried to dominate the situation when conflict arises. This might
also bring the behavior of being dominant type of conflict resolution styles for female
respondents in this research.

A statistically significant mean score difference between male and female participants were
found in integrative type of conflict resolution styles. Previous research reports did not indicated
any kind of gender differences on integrating type of conflict resolution styles. However, in this
research statistically significant mean score differences between male and female participants
were found in integrating type of conflict resolution styles. The mean score of males were higher
than the mean score of females with regard to integrating type of conflict resolution styles. It
means, male participants involve more in integrating type of conflict resolution styles than
female participants. While being integrative is a positive quality in relationship satisfaction, the
fact that either of partners should not be more concerned with being integrative, as it handicaps
relationships and reduces relationship satisfaction.

The observation that males in this sample in general are more likely to pull in to agreements and
are more willing to participate in conflict resolution makes it easy to see that the combination of
integrating males and dominating females could soon lead to pursue effective interaction pattern
that is predictive of relationship satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The present study examined effect of conflict resolution behavior on couple relationship
satisfaction. The present researcher specifically addressed two approaches of conflict
approaches, functional and dysfunctional and their association relationship satisfaction. Based on
the discussion the following conclusions are made.

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1. The level of education had no significant relationship with conflict resolution styles and
relationship satisfaction. Therefore, it can be concluded that the level of education could
not guarantee for having relationship satisfaction and functional conflict resolution styles.
2. Income had significant impact in conflict resolution styles and relationship satisfaction.
Therefore, it is possible to conclude that level of income is one of the factors that increase
enhance functional conflict approach and increase couples’ relationship satisfaction.
3. It was found that, there are various factors that contribute to couples’ conflict. However,
the major factors stated by respondents and summarized by the present researcher were
ranked as income, lack of transparency, lack of communication, unfaithfulness, jealousy
(committing adultery), not spending enough time together and engaging in emotional or
sexual infidelity were the major contributing factors.
4. Conflict resolution styles had significant predictive power on relationship satisfaction.
Therefore, the analysis explicitly shows that integrating, obliging and avoiding conflict
type of conflict resolution styles predicts relationship satisfaction between couples.
Implications
The findings of the present study help to explain people’s behavior for intervention. Some people
have difficulties in starting and continuing adult intimate relationship and some others even seem
to lack the wish or competence to become deeply involved with others. Moreover, it is observed
that though couples love each other very well, they go through hard times with uncomplicated
problems due to lack of effective conflict resolution styles.

Because of the importance of conflict resolution styles, it is helpful for marriage /couple/
therapists to address conflict resolution behavior and highlight how they are displayed in
romantic relationships. The counselor should understand the conflict approach that couples use
in their conversations. By listening and observing their conversational emotions the therapist can
understand the approach of conflict that couples are using. Therefore, the therapist can teach and
counsel clients on how their conversation and emotion affects to reach in to common consensus
during communication. Therefore, teaching and practicing more effective conflict resolution
styles may assist in building a secure base for each member of the partner. The therapist needs to
pay special attention to the more delicate characteristics of avoidant behaviors, and highlight
their dynamics and effects when necessary.

Research reports indicate that, on average, children who grow up in families with both their
biological parents in a low-conflict marriage are better off in a number of ways than children
who grow up in single, step or cohabiting-parent households. However, in individual situations,
children became better off depending on whether the marriage is “healthy” and stable. Marriage
is a proxy for other parental characteristics associated with relationship stability and positive
child outcomes.

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