Conflict Resolution Quarterly

Publisher:: Wiley
Publication date:: 2021-02-01

ISBN:: 1536-5581

Issue Number

Latest documents

EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
High‐conflict parents in mediation: An analysis of dialogues and sources to conflict
A significant proportion of parents in mediation present destructive and escalating conflicts. In a naturalistic study of sessions with high‐conflict couples, we observed dialogues with frequent interruptions, rapidly shifting subjects, and emotional attacks. A systematic search revealed eight distinct sources of conflict that interfered with the mediation process: Two related to the breakup, four regarding differing concerns of care for the child, and two mainly about the contextual conditions for childcare arrangements. The article describes these sources of conflicts in a format that could increase the capacity of mediators to recognize and address them during the process of mediation.
Mediating conflicts over sacred lands
Mediating conflicts over sacred lands, a unique subset of public conflicts and international conflict with a religion component, requires sensitivity to the concept of the sacred and the unique contexts within which they occur. Sacred lands disputes may emerge from competing incompatible commercial and religious uses, demands for exclusive use, and efforts to undermine religious legitimacy. These aspects of conflicts over sacred lands require mediator consideration of their peculiar dynamics, including clashes of worldviews, indivisibility, and territorial access to the divine.
Facilitating emotional reappraisal in conflict transformation
Today emotions are seen as an integral part of conflict and conflict resolution. Research, mostly experimental or simulation based, has shown that emotional “appraisal” or “self‐regulation” can have a positive effect on conflict transformation. Drawing on lessons learned from a case study of conflict transformation involving Jewish and Arab students in Israel, this paper illustrates how the “reappraisal” of difficult emotions can play a central role in creating more positive relationships. The findings suggest that reflexivity is a key part of emotional “reappraisal” and proposes a number of actions that can be taken to actively facilitate this process.
Retaining volunteer mediators: Comparing predictors of burnout
Retention of the estimated 30,000 U.S. volunteer community mediators is critical to provision of high‐quality services. Although workers’ retention and burnout is well researched, retention of volunteers such as community mediators is less understood. Survey data of 53 volunteer mediators were analyzed. For volunteer mediators, burnout and intent to remain for 2 years were significantly negatively associated. Using a self‐determination‐based basic needs satisfaction scale, more relatedness satisfaction predicted lower burnout for volunteer mediators, while competence satisfaction and autonomy satisfaction did not. This association held, even when controlling for mediators’ experience in the field and self‐care behaviors.
Issue Information
Beyond fight or flight: The need for conflict management training in medical education
This article reviewed the literature on conflict management training in medicine, proposed a set of competencies that health professionals need to learn in order to effectively deal with conflict in health care settings, and described a pilot project designed to teach many of these competencies at Dartmouth. Our review of the evidence, discussions with experts, and pilot findings highlight the potential value of incorporating comprehensive conflict management training in medical education. Further research is needed to evaluate the optimal timing and most effective ways to teach these skills in medical school, residency, and beyond.
Collective memory of conflict is not all about politics—The Israeli case: Empirical, theoretical, and practical aspects
The most important theme in conflict memory studies has been the “politics of memory.” This article, however, argues that memory is also significantly influenced by many apolitical factors, which are typically underresearched. Based on numerous documents and interviews, the article examines the Israeli official, autobiographical, cultural, and historical memories, from 1949 to 2004, of the 1948 Palestinian exodus. Empirically and theoretically, the article offers various contributions, such as the first typology of the three manifestations of the political and apolitical uses of memory, and traces 13 apolitical factors. All these findings are translated into practical implications for the use of peacemakers and others.
Hidden in plain view: The impact of mediation on the mediator and implications for conflict resolution education
Empirical evidence shows that middle and high school students trained to be peer mediators experience improved communication skills, increased empathy, enhanced self‐esteem, and improved academic performance. Yet scholars have not examined whether these benefits extend to mediators in other contexts. This article presents empirical evidence and theoretical support for the inference that mediation training and practice have a positive impact on the emotional well‐being of the mediator. Given the documented increase of mental health challenges in today's society, this largely untapped potential of mediation to improve the well‐being of the mediator has significant implications for conflict resolution education.
Becoming the change we wish to see: The unexpected benefits of conflict resolution work
Mediators, ombuds, and other peace workers generally see their work as a calling. They pursue this work because of a desire to help others while promoting healing and reconciliation. While their work helps clients, it frequently results in deeply personal transformations, changing the ways in which they relate to and communicate with their family, colleagues, and community members. After hearing anecdotal reports of these transformations, I designed this study to learn more about how the work of conflict resolution affects its practitioners. Data for this study come from interviews and surveys of peace workers in various settings.