Strategies and goals in conflict resolution between adolescents, fathers and mothers

Conflict resolution according to the views of the father, mother and adolescent was studied in a sample of 295 two-parent families. The purposes of the study were twofold: To compare the strategies and goals used for solving the conflict, and to examine the predictive power of the goals over the strategies used. Six strategies and four goals were selected and were applied to six hypothetical conflict situations, Overall, results indicated an active and rational approach to the conflicts, though mothers used more negotiation and explanation of their own views than fathers and adolescents, whereas adolescents used more dominant tactics, negative emotions or they ignore the conflict. The triad showed great consistency in the structure of their resolution goals and strategies, more evident in the father than in the mother and the adolescent, Age trends revealed a decline in parental control at age 16-17, hut not in adolescent control. Moreover, the use of negotiations decreased in both parties at those ages.