Personality traits, interpersonal conflict resolution strategies and coping skills among X, Y, Z generations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether personality traits, interpersonal conflict resolution strategies, and coping skills differ from one another according to the generations (X, Y, Z). Hence, how generations (X, Y, Z) differentiate according to personality traits, conflict resolution approaches, and coping skills was explored. The sample of the study consisted of 433 participants (257 female and 176 male) which are composed of Generation X (n = 141), Generation Y (n = 165), Generation Z (n = 127). The data was obtained by the Demographic Information Form, The Big Five Inventory (BFI), Conflict Communication Scale (CCS) and Coping Skills Scale (The Brief- COPE). Multiple variance analysis (MANOVA) was used to see whether there is a significant difference between BFI, CCS, and the Brief-COPE in terms of Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z. The study results demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference in personality traits according to Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z. Moreover, Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z differentiated according to confrontation, emotional expression, and self-disclosure subscale of CCS. However, Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z did not differentiate in terms of conflict approach/avoidance and public/private behavior level. Furthermore, Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z differentiated according to substance use, suppression of competing activities, denial, restraint, positive reinterpretation, and planning subscale of the Brief-COPE. In addition, Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z did not differentiate in terms of instrumental social support, acceptance, humor, venting of emotions, religion, behavioral disengagement, mental disengagement, emotional social support levels.