Relationship between Family Communication Patterns and Conflict Management Styles of Adolescents in Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State

Abstract

This study determined the association between family communication patternsand conflict management styles of adolescents in Udenu Local GovernmentArea, Enugu state. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed.The population comprised 5,238 students in the 16 secondary schools in thestudy area. A multi-stage sampling procedure was applied to select 360 pupilsthat served as samples for the study. Three objectives guided the study. Theinstruments for data collection were two standardized questionnaires and astructured questionnaire that was validated by three lecturers from theDepartment of Home Science and Management. Data collected were analyzedusing descriptive statistics and chi-square. Findings showed that 93.3% of therespondents communicated in a consensual pattern and had high conformityorientation and high conversation orientation within their family. A greaterproportion (35.6%) of the respondents expressed a collaborative conflictmanagement style. The respondents agreed that people’s beliefs and valueswith a mean of 3.04, a person’s ability or inability to communicate effectively(2.97), and an individual’s personality type (2.91), were some factors associatedwith the conflict management style of adolescents. Factors associated withfamily communication patterns as identified by the respondents included thereligion of family members with a mean of 2.86, parent-child and siblingrelationships (2.82), and communication skills of family members (2.78).Family communication pattern was significantly associated with conflictmanagement styles of adolescents at p < 0.05 level of significance. The studyrecommended that a proper family communication pattern should beemphasized as it influences adolescents’ conflict management style