ABSTRACT
It is generally acknowledged that people adopt different resolution strategies when facing conflicts with others. However, the mechanisms of conflict resolution are still unclear and under researched, in particular within the context of Chinese adolescents' same-sex friendship relations. Thus, the present study investigated the mediator role of conflict resolution strategies in the relationship between regulatory foci and friendship satisfaction for the first time. 653 Chinese adolescents completed the regulatory foci, conflict resolution style, and friendship satisfaction measures. The results of the structure equation modeling showed that while promotion focus was positively associated with problem-solving and compliance, prevention focus was positively associated with withdrawal and conflict engagement. In addition, problem-solving mediated the relationship between promotion focus and friendship satisfaction, and conflict engagement mediated the relationship between prevention focus and friendship satisfaction. These findings contribute to understanding Chinese adolescents' use of conflict resolution strategies as well as the relationship between regulatory foci and behavioral strategies in negative situations.
Funding
This study was supported by “the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities”.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Qin Gao
Qin Gao is an assistant professor at School of Sociology, China University of Political Science and Law. Her current research interest is motivation psychology.
Ran Bian
Ran Bian is an associate professor at School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University. His current research interests include personnel selection, regulatory focus, and organizational socialization.
Ru-de Liu
Ru-de Liu is a professor at School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University. His current research interests are mathematics education and motivation.
Yili He
Yili He is currently a master student at School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University. Her current research interest is regulatory focus.
Tian-Po Oei
Tian-Po Oei is an emeritus professor of University of Queensland. He is also a visiting professor (part time) of James Cook University Singapore and Beijing Normal University, and Nanjing University. His current research interests are addictive behaviors and substance abuse as well as psychopathology.