Date of Award

12-2005

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Campus-Only Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Human Development

Advisor

Sandra L. Caron

Second Committee Member

Robert Milardo

Third Committee Member

Renate Klein

Abstract

This study examines the conflict management styles between women who work outside the home and homemakers. Five different conflict management styles, specifically, competition, collaboration, compromising, avoiding and accommodation were measured using the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. Thirty-five homemakers and 32 women working outside the home responded to the questionnaire. Results in this study showed that the use of a specific conflict style is not dependent on the work situation of the women. There are many factors that influence the way we manage conflict and our work situation is only one of those, but does not appear to determine the way we manage conflict. Further research is needed to understand if the parameters on conflict management skills vary through the years in the specific population.

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