What Type of Communication during Conflict is Beneficial for Intimate Relationships?

• Published in: Current opinion in psychology Vol. 13; pp. 1 - 5
• Main Authors: Overall, Nickola C, McNulty, James K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01-02-2017
• Subjects: context; communication; relationship conflict; conflict behavior; problem resolution
• ISSN: 2352-250X; 2352-250X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.03.002

What constitutes effective communication during conflict? Answering this question requires (a) clarifying whether communication expresses opposition versus cooperation and is direct versus indirect, (b) assessing the mechanisms through which communication effects relationships, and (c) identifying the contextual factors that determine the impact of communication. Recent research incorporating these components illustrates that direct opposition is beneficial when serious problems need to be addressed and partners are able to change, but can be harmful when partners are not confident or secure enough to be responsive. In contrast, cooperative communication involving affection and validation can be harmful when serious problems need to changed, but may be beneficial when problems are minor, cannot be changed, or involve partners whose defensiveness curtails problem solving.