Research note: Two measures of conflict orientation

• Author: Xiaowen Guan,William A. Donohue,Sachiyo M. Shearman,Mary Jiang Bresnahan
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/crq.238
• Published date: 01 March 2009
• Date: 01 March 2009

Research Note:Two Measures of Conflict Orientation

Mary Jiang Bresnahan

William A. Donohue

Sachiyo M. Shearman

Xiaowen Guan

This study analyzed the construct validity of two new measures: the

Attitude Toward Conflict Scale and the Mediation Scale. Although

both of these measures are still being developed, results of two studies

(with 557 participants) suggest that these instruments are valid and

reliable measures that might be of use to alternative dispute resolution

administrators, other mediation practitioners, and university personnel

who deal with conflict as a screening device to measure attitude toward

conflict and the mediation process.

Two Measures for Mediators:Validation of Measures

Every day, mediators in the United States are charged with intervening in

an array of conflict situations, from playground bullying incidents to facil-

itating resolution of neighborhood disputes; to brokering referrals from

social agencies, church, and community groups; to intervening in work-

place and public policy conflicts, and court referrals. Not only are the situ-

ations challenging; the parties involved in the conflict might be from racial

or ethnic groups different from those of the other parties or from the

mediator. Alternative dispute resolution program administrators and prac-

titioners, often with little lead time, must be prepared to deal with a

number of problems and a diverse body of people.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION QUARTERLY, vol. 26, no. 3, Spring 2009 © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 365

and the Association for Conflict Resolution • DOI: 10.1002/crq.238

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