Conflict Handling in Ghanaian In-law Relationships: Implications for Face Concerns
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Family Communication
Abstract
We interviewed 34 married individuals between the ages of 32 and 69 in
Southern Ghana regarding conflict handling strategies they adopt in their in-law relationships. We conceptualized the strategies around face concerns.
Findings from inductive thematic analysis support participant use of five
main conflict-handling strategies: human/divine third-party engagements,
obsequious behavior, apologizing, ignoring, and confronting. These strategies
map onto considerations for other-face concerns as well as mutual-face
concerns. Findings offer insights about conflict, face concerns, and in-law
relationships within a previously understudied cultural context.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Conflict Handling, Ghanaian In-law Relationships, West African
Citation
Adjeiwa Akosua Affram, Annabella Osei-Tutu & Vivian Afi Dzokoto (2020) Conflict Handling in Ghanaian In-law Relationships: Implications for Face Concerns, Journal of Family Communication, 20:4, 285-297, DOI: 10.1080/15267431.2020.1822845