What's important about important conflicts ? Adolescents' perceptions of daily disagreements

Abstract

Adolescents' perceptions of daily interpersonal conflict processes were examined. A single most important disagreement, as well as the resolution, outcome, lessons learned, affective intensity, and prevalence of all conflicts from the previous day were described in telephone interviews. Most important conflicts contained more negative affect and were less typical than other conflicts. Resolutions tended to involve submission or disengagement; outcomes frequently consisted of winners and losers; negative affect declined afterward, but did not disappear; usually, nothing was learned from most important conflicts. Conflict components were interrelated: Resolutions were associated with outcomes and affective intensity, and affective intensity was linked to lessons learned. Apparently, the salience of an interaction is influenced by specific conflict behaviors beyond the mere presence of disagreement.