Problem-solving styles in family with broader social application
Comment:
We are living in a globalizing society with re-invention of humanity and values that
make worth every person and requires every person to be respected. However, in
this period of deep crisis of the leadership there are people that attempt to confront
and hostilize whole communities, groups, companies and organizations. For this
reason the styles listed below although coming from research of family have
broader social applications.

Reference: Hetherington, E. M. (2006). The influence of conflict, marital problem
solving and parenting on children’s adjustment in nondivorced, divorced, and
remarried families, in Clarke-Stewart, A. & Dunn, J. (Eds.). Families Count: Effects
on Child and Adolescent Development, 203-229.

Student's clinical application (.pdf)

Problem-solving styles

[1] Hostile-confrontational style
Case study: 34% of wives and 20 percent of husbands.
Characteristics:
negative emotions
criticism
contempt and sarcasm
belligerence
reciprocated negativity
escalation of aversive behavior
failure to agree
low affection and validation of parents

[2] Hostile withdrawn style
(20% of wives, 38% of husbands)
negative emotion
low support of the partner
low affection
failure to agree but not by the overt threats and belligerence and escalation of
  negativity found in spouses with hostile-confrontational style
denying culpability then withdraw in sullen silence.
verbal contempt (eye rolling, lip curling, raised eyebrows and smug
self-satisfied smiles)

[3] Engaged style
(36% of women and 30% of men)
positive effect
humor
affection
validation of the partner
explanation and reasoning
compromise
more frequent conflict resolution
anger - at abt the average level, but hostility (belligerence, contempt, and sarcasm)
willing to confront their differences
verbalization of disagreement - higher than in 2 and not as high as in 1

[4]. Conflict avoidant style
(10% of women and 12% of men)
infrequent conflict
neutral affect in women
moderately positive affect in men
high withdrawal