Conflict Handling in Ghanaian In-law Relationships: Implications for Face Concerns

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.