“A Study of Conflict Resolution Styles Among Married Couples”

Abstract

The present study aims to examine the conflict resolution styles among married couples, focusing specifically on differences between husbands and wives across four dimensions Positive Problem Solving, Conflict Engagement, Withdrawal, and Compliance. The sample consisted of 100 participants (50 husbands and 50 wives) selected through purposive sampling from the Jalna district of Maharashtra. The Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI) was used to assess individual differences in managing marital conflicts. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test to identify significant differences between the two groups. Results indicated that wives tend to adopt a more constructive and positive problem-solving approach compared to husbands, whereas husbands exhibited higher tendencies toward withdrawal during conflicts. Minimal gender differences were observed in compliance and conflict engagement styles. The findings suggest that gender plays a meaningful role in shaping conflict management behaviors within marital relationships. The study highlights the importance of promoting effective communication and mutual understanding to enhance marital harmony.