Men and women react differently to many situations in life. Getting over and dealing with conflict in a relationship is no different. The psychological differences between men and women may help us understand why we react differently. If you are married or in a relationship there will be arguments at various times. Conflict does not have to be life changing but what does make it harder to deal with is if the two partner’s ways of dealing with conflict don’t mesh well. Marriage counseling is one way to deal with conflict resolution solutions, and even those not married will sometimes go to relationship counselors for help. What you hopefully will get out of relationship counseling is the ability to understand how your partner thinks when dealing with arguments.
The National Institute of Mental Health at one point funded a huge social study that displayed how most couples who had been together for only a few months and were between the ages of 18 and 21 would avoid being dependant on their partner and also avoided too much intimacy (which might result in dependence). This group also showed signs of anxiety when faced with rejection or abandonment, although there were different degrees of anxiety levels. Those who were more personally secure within themselves had lower levels of stress, which is to be expected. The more secure and independent you are with yourself the less abandonment will affect you. Others reacted differently to the tests as well, depending on how they naturally handled anxiety and thoughts on abandonment.
» Read more: Psychology of Relationships – Does Conflict Affect Men More Than Women?