NCJ Number
114494
Date Published
1988
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Men in a random sample of homeowners in one city were asked how they handled conflicts during their past year in their relationship with a wife or other woman to determine the factors associated with men's styles of handling conflicts.
Abstract
Sixty-five of the 120 men returned the mailed questionnaires. Questions covered techniques for resolving conflicts, ranging from calm discussion to assault with a deadly weapon. They also focused on factors that might be related to conflict styles, including age, stress, past exposure to the use of physical force, family background, and orientation to sex roles. Respondents averaged 45 years of age. All but four were married to their current female partner, with an average of 20 years of marriage. Most were working fulltime, and two-fifths had children under 18 living at home. Thirty-two of the men reported using none of the abusive conflict tactics. Seven men reported using direct physical force. Older men were less likely than younger ones to report using abusive tactics. Stress was not related to the use of abusive conflict tactics when the effects of age, past exposure, and family background were taken into account. In addition, neither sex-role orientation nor self-esteem were significantly correlated with the use of abusive conflict tactics. Age, past exposure to the use of physical force, and family background explained a large part of the variation among the men in the sample. Findings suggested the possible benefits of targeting younger men up to age 35 for educational and social service interventions. Tables, notes, and 4 references.