Psychological features of adolescent conflict behavior

Analysing the results, we see that 15% of grade 5 students choose the style of behaviour in conflict - competition, 30% - accommodation; 25% - compromise, 20% - avoidance and 10% - cooperation. As for 8 th grade students, 35% of senior pupils choose the tendency of behaviour in a group - competition, 10% - adaptation; 15% - compromise, 35% - avoidance and only 5% - cooperation.

As we can see, adolescents of different ages choose different styles of behaviour in conflict. In particular, younger adolescents prefer to adapt to the conflict, approach the situation in a compromise manner or avoid the conflict. This can be explained by the age-related characteristics of this category of adolescents.

Younger adolescents show lack of confidence in their abilities and are too emotional about conflict situations. They often refuse to interact or avoid it. However, such behaviour, in turn, only deepens the conflict and takes it to a new level.

As for older adolescents, there is a sharp distinction between styles of behaviour in conflicts. The majority of the 8th grade students in the study chose the style of competition and avoidance. The chosen style of competitive are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. The results of the study on the Bass-Darkey Aggression Inventory for younger adolescents

The table shows that a high level of physical aggression is observed in 40% of respondents, an average level - in 35%, and a low level - in 25% of adolescents. A high level of indirect aggression is reported by 28% of behaviour may be related to the desire to show one's superiority over others, to win and establish one's authority among peers. This may be particularly important for those with low selfesteem or who want to be recognised by others as a successful and strong individual. As for the chosen behavioural style - avoidance - this can be interpreted as a desire to avoid conflict, which can be frightening or unpleasant for the adolescent. Also, students may choose avoidance if they are not confident in their ability to manage conflict or they do not want to risk losing relationships with others.

If we analyse the situation as a whole, we can conclude that the chosen styles of behaviour of adolescents in conflict are unproductive. Students practically do not use cooperation (5%) or adaptation (10%), i.e. they do not want to look for ways to resolve the conflict together with their opponents. And, as a result, adolescents cannot overcome difficulties on their own, find a way out of a conflict situation. At the same time, they may blame other people for their difficulties in communicating in a conflict situation.

It should be noted that adolescents clearly understand their position in the conflict. In a conflict situation, they often choose avoidance or aggression, especially older adolescents. This can be interpreted as a lack of experience in constructive conflict resolution. Thus, the choice of behavioural style in a conflict situation may be related to various factors, such as a desire to show superiority, fear, inability to manage conflict, inability to control emotions, etc.

The next methodology used in the study was the Bass-Darkey Aggression Inventory. The results respondents, an average level - by 40%, and a low level - by 32% of students. A high level of irritability is observed in 36% of respondents, an average level - in 33%, a low level - in 31%. A high level of negativism is reported by 35% of respondents, an average level - by 32%, and a low level - by 33% of adolescents. A high level of resentment is reported by 27% of respondents, an average level - by 30%, and a low level - by 43%. A high level of suspicion is reported by 25% of respondents, an average level - by 20%, and a low level - by 55% of adolescents. A high level of verbal aggression was reported by 38% of respondents, an average level - by 35%, and a low level - by 27%. A high level of guilt is inherent in 17% of respondents, an average level - in 20%, a low level - in 63%.

Analysing the results of the indicators of aggression of younger adolescents, we see the most pronounced indicators of physical aggression, irritability, negativism and verbal aggression. These indicators may be signs of problems with their social and emotional development. Physical aggression can manifest itself in the form of fights, assaults, cruelty to animals and other people. Irritability and negativism can be manifested in an increased level of indignation, criticism and distrust of others. Verbal aggression is manifested in the form of insults, criticism, ridicule, threats and other forms of verbal aggression.

The table shows that 50% of respondents respondents, an average level - in 22%, a low

have a high level of physical aggression, 36% have an average level, and 14% have a low level. A high level of indirect aggression is reported by 35% of respondents, an average level - by 32%, and a low level - by 33% of students. A high level of irritability is observed in 48% of respondents, an average level - in 40%, a low level - in 12%. A high level of negativism is reported by 45% of respondents, an average level - by 43%, and a low level - by 12% of adolescents. A high level of resentment is reported by 35% of respondents, an average level - by 40%, and a low level - by 25%. A high level of suspicion is observed in 23% of

In order to help younger adolescents, you need to pay attention to their condition and understand the causes of aggression. It is important to maintain positive relationships with adolescents and give them the opportunity to express their feelings and emotions. The resulting high levels of negativism and verbal aggression in younger adolescents can, in turn, lead to conflict. In particular, adolescents with high levels of irritability and negativism may disregard the rules and norms of behaviour at school, which can lead to conflicts with teachers and school administrators. It is important to identify adolescents with high levels of aggression and negative behaviour in time and provide them with the necessary support and assistance.

The above-mentioned results of the BassDarkey Aggression Inventory allowed us to determine the hostility index and aggression index of the respondents. In particular, it was found that 43% of the respondents have an abnormal hostility index, and 46% have an abnormal aggression index.

Analysing the obtained indicators of aggression in older adolescents (see Table 4), we observe the following.

Table 4. The results of the study on the Bass-Darkey Aggression Inventory in older adolescents

As for the hostility index and the aggressiveness index of the respondents, we observe pronounced indicators outside the norm (hostility index - in 60% of the respondents, aggressiveness index - in 67% of adolescents).

Analysing the obtained indicators of aggression of older adolescents, we see the same indicators of physical aggression, irritability, negativism and verbal aggression as in younger adolescents. The indicators of resentment are also quite pronounced. In older adolescents, such pronounced indicators can lead to more complex and dangerous behavioural manifestations in conflict situations. In particular, they may exhibit aggressive behaviour with greater intensity and continuity, which can lead to physical clashes with others, injuries and other negative consequences.

In addition, older adolescents with high levels of aggression and negative behaviour may have emotional regulation problems, which can lead to other dangerous behaviours. Therefore, it is important to identify adolescents with high levels of aggression and negative behaviour as early as possible and provide them with the necessary support and assistance. It is also necessary to work with adolescents to develop emotional regulation skills and the ability to have pronounced indicators of impulsivity (high level is inherent in 40% of the subjects, medium - 38% and low level is inherent in 22% of the students). The indicators of anxiety and social desirability are quite pronounced. In particular, a high level of anxiety is inherent in 38% of the subjects, an average level - in 37% and a low level - in only 25% of the subjects).

Indicators of social desirability are as follows: 35% of employees have a high level, 40% have an average level, and 25% of young adolescents have a low level. As we can see, the communicate and resolve conflicts effectively. As we can see, the hostility and aggression indexes are mostly outside the normal range, which also indicates negative emotional manifestations of older adolescents. The results obtained require correction by psychologists to develop emotional regulation skills and the ability to communicate and resolve conflicts effectively.

In the course of the study, we also used a methodology for measuring emotional and volitional qualities (Taylor, Eysenck, Roong, Rotter, Kondratieva's version). It is aimed at measuring the following indicators of the emotional sphere: anxiety, impulsivity, dogmatism, external locus of control. In the study of 5-A grade pupils using this methodology, we obtained the results presented in Table 5.

Table 5. Results of the methodology for measuring emotional and volitional qualities (Taylor) of younger adolescents

The scores of the dogmatism scale were somewhat lower (30% of the respondents had a high level of dogmatism, 25% had a medium level, and 45% had a low level) and the external locus of control scale (28% of employees had a high level, 33% had a medium level, and 39% of younger adolescents had a low level).

When studying older adolescents using this methodology, we obtained the results presented in Table 6.

Table 6 Results of the methodology for measuring emotional and volitional qualities (Taylor) of older adolescents

As can be seen from the results obtained, the studied older adolescents, as well as the studied younger adolescents, have expressed indicators of impulsivity, where the high level reaches up to 50%, the average level - 43% of the studied, low-level indicators are observed in only 7% of adolescents.

Quite high indicators of social desirability (high level is inherent in 45% of employees, medium level is observed in 38% of the respondents and low level is inherent in only 17% of adolescents). These indicators are significantly pronounced, which is a negative phenomenon, because a significant level of impulsivity and social desirability can lead to emotional disharmony with others and be a factor provoking conflict behaviour in older adolescents.

Usually, these adolescents pay attention to the fact that their actions and behaviour are in line with social norms and expectations of the people around them. They try to act in a way that is expected of them in order to fit in with their peers and be accepted by the group. They may avoid behaviours that may cause others to judge them, even if they want to act differently. This can be helpful in helping adolescents to fit in and be accepted by their peers. But if it becomes too important, it can hinder their development and self-expression, and lead to undesirable consequences, such as feeling dissatisfied with their lives and not being able to be true to themselves.

The obtained indicators of anxiety are naturally high in the studied older adolescents, in particular, a high level is inherent in 48% of the subjects, an average level - in 45% and a low level - in 7% of the subjects. As for the indicators of the external locus of control, 35% of the study's respondents have a high level, 34% - an average level, and 31% - a low level.

Compared to younger adolescents, the indicators on the dogmatism scale are quite pronounced (high level is inherent in 38% of employees, medium - 40% and low level - 22% of the respondents. Adolescent dogmatism is a phenomenon when adolescents hold their beliefs and views very strictly and disregard other possible views and information that contradicts their beliefs. They consider their views to be the only correct option, while other views are wrong.

This is a fairly typical feature of adolescence, when a person is just forming their 86 identity and beginning to develop as a person. Adolescents often experience emotional stress and need to be supported by their beliefs in order to feel confident in their position in life. However, if this becomes too dogmatic, it can hinder their development and can lead to undesirable consequences, such as unhealthy relationships with other people and provoke various conflict situations.

As for the indicators of the external locus of control, the obtained indicators are less pronounced than the others, in particular, a high level is inherent in 35% of the study, an average level - in 34% and a low level - in 31% of older adolescents).

Thus, analysing the results of the methodology, we can see a pattern: adolescents of each group have pronounced indicators of impulsivity and anxiety, especially older adolescents. Particular attention should be paid to the indicators of the scales of social desirability and dogmatism, which are quite intense in the subjects, with more pronounced indicators in older adolescents. The results obtained require correction by psychologists in order to develop the ability of adolescents to optimally direct their emotions.

Thus, the study of the peculiarities of conflicts in the adolescent environment shows that students are most likely to have a high level of conflict, the most typical strategies for responding to conflict are competition and avoidance, and the least common is the strategy of cooperation. It should be noted that adolescents clearly understand their position in a conflict. In a conflict situation, they often choose avoidance or aggression, especially older adolescents. This can be interpreted as a lack of experience in constructive conflict resolution.

Adolescents of each group have pronounced indicators of impulsivity and anxiety, in particular, older adolescents. Particular attention should be paid to the scores of social desirability and dogmatism, which are quite intense in the subjects. We also observe pronounced indicators of verbal aggression. Attention should be paid to the indicators of hostility and aggression indices, which are more abnormal, with a predominance in the group of older adolescents.

Further steps were aimed at identifying the relationship between the scales of the above indicators in order to test the hypothesis that conflict behaviour is related to the emotional sphere of adolescent children. We will focus on the group of adolescents with high levels of conflict.

The data were processed using correlation analysis (Pearson's correlation coefficient). This method of processing allows us to make sure that there is consistency between the results of all the methods we have proposed.

The analysis of correlations between the indicators suggests that there is a positive correlation between adolescents' conflict and the strategy of competition at the level of significance - (r=0.563) and avoidance - (r=0.463). These strategies can lead to competition and evasion of the problem instead of cooperation and compromise.

An inverse correlation is observed between the strategy of cooperation and adolescents' conflict (r=-0.562). It is cooperation that can reduce the risk of conflict behaviour, as this strategy involves finding a mutually acceptable solution that meets the interests of both sides.

There is a positive correlation between impulsivity (r=0.572) and anxiety (r=0.625) with adolescents' conflict behaviour. These emotional manifestations can lead to conflicts due to imperfect emotional control and the ability to exaggerate risks. Increased anxiety makes adolescents perceive a wide range of situations as threatening and frightening, which encourages them to take a stand and show signs of conflict.

The presence of a direct correlation between the indicators of social desirability (r=0.465) and dogmatism (r=0.482) with conflict behaviour means that as the level of social desirability and dogmatism increases, the likelihood of conflict behaviour in adolescents increases. Social desirability may influence conflict behaviour through adolescents' desire to be accepted and popular among their peers. Dogmatism can lead to conflict, as people with high levels of dogmatism tend to be more receptive to other opinions and beliefs, which can lead to arguments and conflicts with others.

The presence of a direct correlation between the indicators of verbal aggression (r=0.535), hostility (r=0.534) and aggressiveness (r=0.547) with conflict behaviour indicates that as the level of these indicators increases, the likelihood of conflict behaviour in adolescents increases. Verbal aggression and hostility can lead to conflicts, as people with high levels of these indicators often use offensive words and other forms of obscene language, which can provoke others to conflict. Aggressiveness can lead to conflict through negative attitudes towards others and reckless behaviour.

Conclusions

After conducting the empirical part of the study of conflict behaviour among younger and older adolescents, we made the following conclusions:

- Students are most characterised by a high level of conflict, with competition and avoidance being the most typical strategies for responding to conflict, and cooperation being the least common.

- Adolescents in each group have pronounced indicators of impulsivity and anxiety, in particular, older adolescents. Particular attention should be paid to the indicators of social desirability and dogmatism scales, which are quite intense in the study. Also, pronounced indicators of verbal aggression were found.

- Our analysis of the correlations between the indicators of the research methods makes it possible to assert the existence of a correlation between adolescent conflict and the following indicators: competition strategy and cooperation strategy; impulsivity and anxiety; indicators of social desirability and dogmatism; indicators of verbal aggression, hostility and aggressiveness.

- The results obtained indicate that the hypothesis that conflict behaviour is related to the emotional sphere of adolescent children was confirmed. Adolescents who show more emotional instability, anxiety and aggressiveness may have a higher level of conflict behaviour. In addition, emotionality can influence the style of conflict behaviour.

Thus, the emotional sphere and adolescent conflict behaviour are interrelated, and understanding them is important in order to develop effective strategies for managing conflicts and improving adolescents' emotional well-being, which is the prospect of our further research.

References

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