Humor and Styles of Handling Interpersonal Conflicts among University Students

Ana-Maria Ţepordei, Adrian-Vicenţiu Labăr, Florin-Vasile Frumos, Nicoleta-Laura Popa

The present study investigates the relationship between general humor use and styles of handling interpersonal conflicts with peers among university students, as well as the possible influence of gender and residence area. Data was collected from a sample of 120 Romanian students enrolled in a large public university, by self-reported measures of humor use and conflict resolution styles. Results indicate significant positive correlation between humor and integrating, compromising and avoiding style, respectively. Gender was found to significantly moderate the relation between humor and the integrating style, this correlation being stronger for female students. Also, students coming from urban areas reported a greater tendency to use humor, integrating and compromising styles than those from rural areas. These outcomes suggest that university teachers and adults’ trainers should pay additional attention to humor, as a useful tool for developing skills for constructive conflict resolution.

conflict resolution style, humor, gender differences

ANA-MARIA ŢEPORDEI Lecturer, Ph.D., “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iasi, Romania; e-mail: ana.tepordei@uaic.ro
ADRIAN-VICENŢIU LABĂR- Lecturer, Ph.D., “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iasi, Romania; e -mail: adrian.labar@psih.uaic.ro,
FLORIN-VASILE FRUMOS – Associate Professor, Ph.D., “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iasi, Romania; e-mail: frumos@uaic.ro
NICOLETA-LAURA POPA- Associate Professor, Ph.D., “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iasi, Romania; e-mail: nicoleta.laura.popa@uaic.ro