Parental interpersonal conflict resolution styles according to parents' gender and level of education

• Main Author: Bulić Aid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pedagoško društvo Srbije i Institut za pedagogiju i andragogiju Filozofskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Beogradu 2018-01-01
• Series: Nastava i Vaspitanje
• Subjects: parent; conflict resolution styles; parental gender; parents' level of education
• Online Access: https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0547-3330/2018/0547-33301801191B.pdf
• ISSN: 0547-3330; 2560-3051

Parental conflict resolution styles used in communication with children can affect children's development in various ways. For this reason, our research aimed to identify the conflict resolution styles used by parents of preschool children, and to examine any possible differences in parental conflict resolution styles according to parents' gender and level of education. The sample consisted of 176 parents of preschool-age children, i.e. of 88 parent couples whose children attend the Naše Dijete nursery school in the town of Tuzla. The instruments used in the research were the modified PAKS-profile (Suzić 2005) for identifying parental conflict resolution styles and the Social Status Markers Questionnaire for parents. The research findings indicate that parents most commonly use the assertive conflict resolution style, which is the most desirable type of parental behavior from the point of view of child rearing, and that there are no significant differences in parental conflict resolution styles according to gender and level of education. However, aggressive and passive conflict resolution styles, which can be potentially unproductive in child rearing, are also rather prevalent. The findings highlight the need for including parents in educational programs on parent-child communication, regardless of their gender and level of education.