The relationship between the need for cognitive closure, emotive control and conflict resolution strategies among adolescents

Interpersonal interactions may be characterized by various kinds of conflicts, disagreements, disapprovals, and confrontations. Many studies show that interpersonal conflicts are very often one of the most prominent sources of distress. Due to possible negative consequences on social relations and personal well-being, it is important to explore factors that contribute to the lack of assertiveness and destructive conflict outcomes. The goal of this research is to explore the relationship between the need for cognitive closure, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution strategies. The sample consists of 504 young people in Italy (aged 18 – 35), and they responded to a questionnaire distributed online, containing several scales (Need for cognitive closure, Emotional regulation, and conflict management styles (accommodating, avoiding, collaborating, competing, and compromising. Multiple regression analyses confirmed the relevant role that the need for closure can have in conflict management, especially in interaction with emotional regulation. It was found that individuals with high NCC and low emotional regulation use to a higher level competing style in conflict management. In addition, it emerged that individuals with low NCC and high emotional regulation use more compromising style, whereas those with low NCC and low emotional regulation use less compromising style. Last but not least, we found that the individuals with low NCC and low emotional regulation use less collaborating style in conflict management.