Choice of conflict resolution strategies in negative emotional states

Abstract

The article presents the results of checking the hypothesis that the choice of conflict resolution strategy depends on the negative emotional states (anxiety, frustration, aggression, rigidity). The Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration test, «Anxiety. Frustration. Aggression. Rigidity (AFAR)» test, Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) have been used for diagnosis of participants` psychological features. Students of Ukrainian universities have formed the sample. Correlational analysis was performed (SPSS 17.0) to identify the associations between emotional states and behavioral reactions. An association has been established between the state of rigidity and the application of the competing strategy (negative), avoiding (positive); between the state of frustration and the frequency of application of competing (negative), accommodating (positive). The results showed that the possibility of implementing a strategy of avoiding in a state of rigidity is associated with unpreparedness for extrapunitive reaction and expectations that the situation will resolve itself (impaunitive reaction). Therefore, the connections between negative emotional states and the choice of poorly productive conflict resolution strategies may depend on protective mechanisms that are activated in a state of frustration.