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Intergenerational Conflict-Initiating Factors and Management Styles: U.S. Older Adults’ Report

Author

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  • Yan Bing Zhang

    (Department of Communication Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-7574, USA)

  • Weston T. Wiebe

    (College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, MO 65726, USA)

Abstract

Guided by the theoretical frameworks of communication accommodation theory and conflict management, this study examines U.S. older participants’ (65 or older) written conflict scenario either with a grandchild or a nonfamily young adult. Using content analysis approach, we analyzed these written conflict scenarios to uncover major conflict initiating factors and conflict management styles. Results revealed that intergenerational conflict initiated by old-to-young criticism (more frequently reported in conflicts with nonfamily young adults) or disagreement/generation gap (more frequently reported in conflicts with grandchildren) was reported most frequently followed by young-to-old rebuff, cumulative annoyance, and young-to-old criticism . Additionally, results indicated that older adults used the problem-solving style most frequently when disagreement/generation gap initiated the conflict, especially in the family contexts; both young and older adults used the competing style most frequently when old-to-young criticism initiated the conflict, especially in nonfamily contexts. Furthermore, the use of the competing and problem-solving styles by young adults was significantly associated with the use of the same styles by older adults and vice versa, indicating both positive and negative reciprocation in intergenerational conflict. Results in general show that young and older adults manage intergenerational conflicts in different ways in family versus nonfamily contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan Bing Zhang & Weston T. Wiebe, 2022. "Intergenerational Conflict-Initiating Factors and Management Styles: U.S. Older Adults’ Report," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:160-:d:972422
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fredda Blanchard-Fields & Andrew Mienaltowski & Renee Baldi Seay, 2007. "Age Differences in Everyday Problem-Solving Effectiveness: Older Adults Select More Effective Strategies for Interpersonal Problems," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(1), pages 61-64.
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