Marital Conflict: Evidences of Validity of a Conflict Resolution Scale in Couples in Southern Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the factor structure of the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI) to a Southern Brazilian population. It also aimed to relate the four dimensions of conflict resolution (positive problem solving, conflict engagement, withdrawal and compliance) in the scale with sociodemographic variables in order to understand how couples handle their conflicts. Participants in the study were 750 married women and 750 married men with a mean age of 40.9 years. They were living with the current partner an average of 15.78 years. Participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and the CRSI. The data revealed a componential structure similar to the original scale. The positive problem solving style was the most used by both men and women, even though the data evidenced a pattern of demand by the women and withdrawal by the men. Adaptations are recommended for the use of the portuguese version of the scale