Family type and conflict: The impact of conversation orientation and conformity orientation on conflict in the family

The present study investigates the influence of conformity and conversation orientation on how families with adolescents cope with conflict. Using the data of 35 families (N = 117), statistically significant correlations were observed between conformity orientation and conflict avoidance (β =.21, p =.04), ventingfeelings (β =.36, p =.002), and depression (β = -.46, p =.048). Conversation orientation was statistically significantly correlated with conflict avoidance (β = -.31, p =.004), and seeking social support (β =.41, p =.003). Implications of these results are discussed and observations are made regarding the utility for communication research of the two dimensions of conformity and conversation orientation. Finally, questions emerging from this research that point to future investigations are discussed.