The conflict resolution styles in adolescence: The modeling role of parents

The objective of this study is to test in mothers, fathers, and adolescents the association of conflict resolution styles (negative conflict engagement and positive problem solving) on anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction, and the transmission of conflict resolution styles through the role of the parental role model. One hundred fifty-four cohabitating families composed of father, mother, and adolescent, took part in the research. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model. The results highlight how both parents’ negative conflict engagement and mothers’ positive problem solving were directly related to those of adolescents. Furthermore, the results suggest the indirect role of fathers’ anxiety and adolescent negative conflict engagement in the associations between fathers’ conflict engagement and child anxiety, and the indirect role of mothers’ life satisfaction and adolescent positive problem solving in the associations between mother’s positive problem solving to the child’s life satisfaction. The present study highlights the importance of analysing conflict resolution strategies within families and suggests that socialisation of conflict styles from both parents to adolescents can be facilitated by maternal and paternal modeling. Mothers and fathers contribute in unique ways to shaping adolescents’ conflict resolution strategies and well-being.