A competence-based approach to examining interpersonal conflict - Test of a longitudinal model

This article reports a test of a longitudinal model linking interpersonal c onflict communication and relationship quality. The model stresses episodic factors that function to mediate the conflict-relationship link. In partic ular the competence-based model specifies that assessments of competence an d one's own communication satisfaction filter the effects of conflict on re lational quality when measured concurrently at Time 1 (T1). In addition, th e competence-based model includes the hypothesized impact of relational fea tures at T1 on conflict strategies weeks later at Time 2 (T2) which indicat es a reciprocal causal connection between message behavior and relational f eatures. Structural equation modeling analyses support the mediational role of episodic assessments, which constitutes the heart of the model. However , relational quality at T1 did not predict conflict behavior at T2. Instead , analyses revealed that conflict behavior at T1 and partner conflict at T2 predict conflict behavior at T2.