Intimacy Goals and Strategies of Conflict Resolution in Dating Relationships: A Mediational Analysis

Abstract

This research examined the associations among intimacy goals in dating, strategies for managing romantic conflict, and relationship satisfaction. One hundred and eighty-nine students completed a questionnaire assessing their intimacy goals and conflict resolution strategies in three distinct ways, namely responses to a general romantic conflict resolution scale, responses to specific hypothetical dating conflicts, and reactions to conflicts experienced in their own relationships. Individuals with a stronger focus on intimacy goals were more likely to engage in open discussion and compromise, show concern for their partner, and seek social support, whereas they were less likely to deny or ignore the conflict. They were also more likely to successfully resolve the conflict (e.g., maintain the relationship). Moreover, the use of open discussion and concern for one's partner mediated the association between intimacy goals and relationship satisfaction. The discussion focuses on the theoretical and applied implications of these findings.