Causes of Conflict and Conflict Resolution Styles among Bahir Dar University Students

Abstract

This slUdy examined the causes of conflict alld conflict resolution styles
amollg university students. The participants were 390 (49 f emale and 341
male) sophomore (87.7%). junior (5. 6%), alld senior (6. 7%) university
sturients. Students identifted themselves as Amhara, Oromo. Tigre, and as
belollging 10 other etlillic groups. Results from qualitative analysis
indicated that the major sources of conflict lVere ctlmicity. religiolls
diversity. defying rules, ami sexual and love affa irs. ill that order. Stlldents
reported fhat the maj or conj1icr resolmion slyles were compromise,
avoidillg, third-party mediatioll, alld dominating. Results from qualltitative
analysis, all allier hand, showed that iiltegralion, comprofldse, alld obliging
were the most f reque1ll1y Ilsed styles of conflict resolution. ANOVA showed
that sex differences were fO llnd ill dominaling ill fa vour of males. Ethnic
differences were observed ill ill/egration alld dominotillg. rile Oromo
lelldillg (a lise more of illlegration Ihall Amhora alld Tigre. domillatillg
beillg Ilsed by Amhara and Tigre. Amhara and Tigre swdellts use
dominating more recurrently Ihan Oromo alld otiler groups. Discussions on
major findings and implicafiolls for prevenlive interventiolls are included .