Conflict management among Malay married couples: an analysis on their strategies & tactics

Abstract

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry reported that there were 200,000 divorces in the last 12 years and Malay divorce rates were among the highest in the world (Imran Rasul, 2008). Cartensen, Gottman & Levenson (1995) suggested that couples would remain married and avoid divorce if they could successfully manage their interaction to maximize positive outcomes. This study explored the strategies and tactics used in conflict management and analyzed their effectiveness based on quantitative methodology. Probability sampling of 300 respondents in Selangor consisting of Malay married couples were selected using cluster sampling. The questionnaire was based on Thomas-Kilman Conflict Mode Instrument which involving competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding and accommodating strategies. Study showed that, around 80 percent of Malay married couples chose collaborating strategy whereas competing was less popular. However, the most popular tactic among the respondents is tried to do what is necessary to avoid tensions which is under the avoiding strategy. Two way communication and compromise were seen to be the essence in keeping longevity and success of marriage. The study revealed that there was a change in the conflict management among Malay married couples which can be related with the economic development of society and the influx of foreign culture. Along with the changes in Malaysia's economic system, modern couples are more open-minded. Therefore, couples in this study tend to see conflicts as problems to be solved, wanting quality decisions that truly resolve the issues. They believe in the power of consensus and in sharing information and understandings.