Conflict Management within Marriages
In this Discussion, you will consider the impact of poor conflict management strategies on couples and how to address these within a counseling relationship. As a counselor you will find that every couple or family relationship is unique. However, there are common factors that can be identified among couples that relate to unhealthy conflict. John Gottman said that criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling are the four horsemen of the apocalypse when it comes to relationships. As marriage, couple, and family counselors, it is important to be able to identify these factors and to be able to select effective interventions to address them. In addition to being able to recognize presenting problems, it will also be necessary to understand methods for building intimacy and communication skills.
Select a scholarly article published in peer-reviewed journals in the last five years that
examines a specific issue affecting couples who may enter the counseling setting (e.g., conflict, infidelity, career issues).
Think about how the issues in the selected article may affect relationships, as well as how Gottmans four horsemen may relate to these identified issues.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post an analysis of the conflict styles identified in the learning resources. Compare the ways in which each of Gottmans four horsemen could potentially have an impact on a couple’s relationship, using the article you selected to support your evaluation
