Impact of need for Affiliation on the relationship between Emotional intelligence and integrating style of conflict resolution

Abstract

The research was conducted to gain an insight into how the Need for Affiliation (nAff) influences the relationship between Emotional intelligence (EI) and the integrating style of conflict resolution among state university undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Undergraduate disputes have frequently being a regular heading in many mainstream dialogues in the county, this study is expected to provide a deep understanding of the issue from the perspective of the impact of nAff on the link between EI and integrating style. The nAff as a moderating factor on the relationship between EI and integrating style of conflict resolution has persisted unexplored in the context of Sri Lankan state university undergraduates. Consequently, a study was conducted with the aim of providing an insight to bridge the prevailing gap. The investigation was based on a survey conducted with the participation of 388 undergraduates containing ten (10) state universities in Sri Lanka. Extensively used scholarly work tools were used to ensure the credibility of research in which EI was measured using Wong and law EI scale, nAff was measured using Unified Motive Scales (UMS), and conflict resolution strategies (integrating style) measured using Rahim’s Organizational Conflict Inventory-II. Moderated multiple regression analysis (hierarchical multiple regression) was applied to evaluate the moderating impact and level of interaction of nAff on the nexus between EI and integrating styles of conflict resolution. The results signify that emotionally intelligent people prefer to use the integrating style to resolve conflicts. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that nAff (moderating variable) enhanced the relationship between EI and integrating style. It indicates that those who are emotionally intelligent and have a high need for affiliation have a stronger preference to choose the integrating style. Conclusively, research has contributed to understanding the role of nAff in defining the relationship between EI and conflict resolution styles and it confirms that higher EI combined with a higher need for affiliation increase the chances of selecting a more productive and collaborative conflict resolution approach.

Keywords: nAff, EI, Integrating conflict resolution style, State University, Undergraduates