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Conflict, Conflict Avoidance, and Conflict Resolution in Emerging Adults
Alexander Chang1, Madeline Bruce1, Madison Streb1
1Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Psychological Reports
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Family conflict and avoidance negatively impact emerging adults' adjustment. However, effective conflict resolution skills significantly reduce distress in both males and females.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Family conflict is linked to negative adjustment in youth.
- Research on conflict avoidance and resolution in emerging adults is less developed.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for mental health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effects of family conflict, conflict avoidance, and conflict resolution on distress in emerging adults.
- To investigate sex differences in these relationships.
- To extend findings from children and adolescents to the emerging adult population.
Main Methods:
- Survey research with 416 emerging adults from a private midwestern university.
- Utilized validated scales for perceived family conflict, conflict avoidance, and conflict resolution.
- Employed multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to analyze distress and need for treatment.
Main Results:
- Both high conflict and high conflict avoidance were associated with significantly higher distress.
- High conflict resolution was linked to significantly lower distress.
- These patterns were consistent for both emerging adult males and females, with significant sex differences noted for distress and need for treatment.
Conclusions:
- Family conflict and conflict avoidance negatively affect emerging adults' adjustment, similar to younger age groups.
- Effective conflict resolution skills are beneficial for reducing distress in emerging adults.
- Interventions should focus on reducing conflict avoidance and enhancing conflict resolution skills to improve mental health outcomes.
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