Adolescents' Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies: Does Competence Vary by Context?

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Adolescent Development
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Healthy conflict negotiation is vital for adolescent social functioning.
• Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies (INS) provide a framework for understanding conflict navigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine interpersonal negotiation strategies (INS) in mid-adolescents across friend, romantic, and parent contexts.
• To identify differences in INS based on relationship type and gender.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 212 Canadian mid-adolescents reported on hypothetical conflict scenarios.
• Adolescents' responses were analyzed to assess their negotiation strategies.

Main Results:

• Adolescents demonstrated the most advanced INS with friends, followed by parents, and least with romantic partners.
• Girls exhibited higher INS than boys, but only in friend contexts.
• Conflict negotiation skills were weakest in romantic relationship contexts.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent conflict negotiation skills vary significantly by relationship context.
• There is a need for universal programs promoting healthy relationship skills, particularly for romantic relationships.
• Targeted interventions may be beneficial to enhance INS in adolescents, especially for navigating romantic conflicts.