This study examined the influence of ethnic background, ethnic identity, an
d cultural identity on conflict styles among African Americans, Asian Ameri
cans, European Americans, and Latino(a) Americans. Panethnic factor analysi
s yielded four dimensions of ethnic identity: ethnic belonging, fringe, int
ergroup interaction, and assimilation. A second-order factor analysis yield
ed two clear identity dimensions: ethnic identity salience and cultural ide
ntity salience. In addition, panethnic factor analysis yielded seven confli
ct management styles: integrating, compromising, dominating, avoiding, negl
ecting, emotional expression, and third party. Some of the major findings o
f the study are: (1) African Americans have a stronger ethnic identity and
a weaker cultural identity than the other ethnic groups; (2) European Ameri
cans have a weaker ethnic identity than the other groups. (3) Latino(a) Ame
ricans and Asian Americans use avoiding and third party conflict styles mor
e than African Americans, and, Asian Americans use avoiding conflict style
more than European Americans; (4) Individuals with a strong cultural identi
ty (i.e., identifying with the larger US culture) use integrating, compromi
sing, and emotionally expressive conflict styles more than individuals with
a weak cultural identity; (5) Individuals with a strong ethnic identity (i
.e., identifying with their ethnic memberships) use integrating conflict st
yle more than individuals with a weak ethnic identity; (6) bicultural, assi
milated, and traditional-oriented groups use integrating and compromising c
onflict styles more than the marginal group, and the marginal group uses th
ird party help more than the other three groups. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science
Ltd. All rights reserved.