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Final Dissertation - Finished (3).pdf (5.11 MB)

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PATTERNED BEHAVIORS IN COUPLES: THE VALIDITY OF THE COUPLES CONFLICT RESOLUTION STYLES ASSESSMENT

McDowell-Burns, Molly
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4082-0655
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468853439

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy.
Many couples present to therapy struggling to resolve conflict and it is well documented that conflict management is linked to relationship satisfaction and stability (Gottman, 1993; Gottman, 1994; Noller & White, 1990; Kurdek, 1994). Unfortunately, few assessments exist that guide Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) in addressing the unique conflict resolution needs of diverse clients. To address this gap, the current study explored the potential use of the newly created Couples’ Conflict Resolution Styles Assessment to better understand the conflict resolution styles that members of a couple present to therapy with. This assessment was adapted from two scales used to evaluate conflict management styles in the workplace (The Conflict Management Styles Quiz, Adkins, 2004; Self-Assessment Test for Conflict Management, Meier, 2004; and The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, Thomas & Kilmann, 1977, 2007). The adapted assessment was given to couples, seeking couple therapy at a Midwestern University training clinic, during the assessment process. Risks of therapy and the assessment process were explained while discussing the informed consent in the first session. The sample included a diverse population of 128 couples from 20-75 years old, various races/ethnic groups, and a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. An Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted to test the factor structure of conflict resolution styles commonly utilized at various employment settings. The factors examined were: competing, accommodating, compromising, avoiding, and collaborating. If this model can be adapted to couples, this assessment can be used by clinicians to modify treatment plans and therapeutic interventions to accommodate the differing conflict resolution styles utilized across couples. Further, couples may improve their communication through understanding partner conflict resolution style differences within the couple relationship.
Karin Jordan , Dr. (Committee Co-Chair)
Rikki Patton , Dr. (Committee Co-Chair)
Boyle Rebecca , Dr (Committee Member)
Weigold Ingrid, Dr (Committee Member)
Jay Meyer, Judge (Committee Member)
Huff Marlene, Dr (Committee Member)
162 p.
Personal Relationships; Psychotherapy; Systematic; Therapy
Communication; Couple Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Couples Conflict Resolution Styles Assessment; Dyadic Data; Exploratory Factor Analysis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McDowell-Burns, M. (2016). PATTERNED BEHAVIORS IN COUPLES: THE VALIDITY OF THE COUPLES CONFLICT RESOLUTION STYLES ASSESSMENT [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468853439

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McDowell-Burns, Molly. PATTERNED BEHAVIORS IN COUPLES: THE VALIDITY OF THE COUPLES CONFLICT RESOLUTION STYLES ASSESSMENT. 2016. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468853439.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McDowell-Burns, Molly. "PATTERNED BEHAVIORS IN COUPLES: THE VALIDITY OF THE COUPLES CONFLICT RESOLUTION STYLES ASSESSMENT." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468853439

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.