Conflict management style and marital satisfaction

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is one conflict mana gement style that correlated more significantly with marital satisfaction t han any other. In addition, spousal satisfaction with how marital conflict is managed was also examined, as were gender differences. Fifty-seven coupl es who had been married for at least 10 years took part in the study. Resul ts showed that the collaborative conflict management style has the highest correlation with both marital satisfaction and spousal satisfaction with co nflict management in the marriage. In contrast, where one or both of the sp ouses used the competitive conflict management style, the lowest marital sa tisfaction was reported. The results were also interpreted in terms of cult ural and gender differences.