Moderating role of conflict resolution strategies in the links between peer victimization and psychological adjustment among youth

Abstract

Introduction: Victims of peer victimization are likely to develop psychological adjustment diiculties. The primary goal of the present study was to examine the moderating efects of conlict resolution strategies (solution-orientation, control, nonconfrontation) on the relations between peer victimization and psychological problems (depressive symptoms, loneliness) in Chinese early adolescents using a cross-sectional design. Methods: Participants included 569 children (298 boys) in ifth grade (M = 11.75 years, SD = 0.40) in urban China. Peer victimization, conlict resolution strategies, depressive symptoms, and loneliness were measured through self-report questionnaires. Results: Peer victimization was positively related to depressive symptoms and loneliness. The relations between peer victimization and psychological problems were moderated by adolescents' solution-oriented and nonconfrontational strategies. Speciically, the relations between peer victimization and psychological problems, including depressive symptoms and loneliness, were attenuated by solution-orientation strategy. In addition, victimized youth who used nonconfrontation strategy were more prone to sufer from loneliness. Gender was also found to moderate these associations. Conclusions: The indings suggest that solution-oriented conlict resolution strategy may protect victimized adolescents from developing loneliness and depressive symptoms and nonconfrontation conlict strategy may exacerbate feelings of loneliness of victimized adolescents. Intervention programs should consider helping victimized youth use more solution-oriented strategies and less nonconfrontational strategies.

Peer victimization, learning flow, and academic achievement: Longitudinal relations among Chinese elementary school students.

“…Students should also be taught how to prevent and respond to peer victimization. For example, solution-oriented conflict resolution skills have been shown to play a protective role in preventing bullying from peers (Wang et al, 2020). Guiding students to actively seek professional assistance should also be helpful (Eliot et al, 2010).…”

School Bullying Is Not a Conflict: The Interplay between Conflict Management Styles, Bullying Victimization and Psychological School Adjustment

“…Studies addressing the relationship between conflict management styles and psychological adjustment are, however, scarce and most research has been conducted in the organizational or workplace context. Those few studies that relate to schools have been targeted almost exclusively towards adults such as educators and school managers [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ] (see Wang et al [ 23 ] for an exception examining the effect of conflict management styles on school adjustment in a sample of urban Chinese pre-adolescents). It is, however, highly important to explore this link also for students as psychological adjustment to the social and academic demands in the school setting is a major task for them [ 24 ], and it is plausible that the way they manage conflicts might make a difference in this regard.…”

“…The integrating and compromising styles are cooperative solution-oriented strategies, associated with higher levels of emotional intelligence [ 18 ], considered to be relatively effective and appropriate by peers [ 26 ], related to higher school adjustment [ 23 ], and generally more likely to lead to positive organizational and individual outcomes [ 27 ]. If both parties succeed in resolving a conflict constructively and to their mutual benefit, this can lead to higher self-esteem and greater self-efficacy in dealing with such situations.…”

Conflict Management in Multiethnic Communities: a Case Study in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

“…Although conflicts are considered one of the ways to meet individual goals, the community members are aware that physical altercations will lead to significant harm. Members of the ethnic groups involved in the disputes remain restrained and implement strategies to avoid physical violence by improving safety while also opening spaces for conflict resolution (Wang et al, 2020).…”