Exploring the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Management Preference Styles in Public Universities in Nigeria

This study investigated the topic – exploring the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Management Preference Styles in Public Universities in Nigeria. Specifically, it sought to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence (self- awareness, self- regulation, motivation, social skill, empathy) and conflict management preference styles among senior staff. The study adopted a descriptive survey design anchored on Rahim's Conflict Management Model and Mayer and Salovey's Ability-Based Model of Emotional Intelligence. Stratified sampling was used, and a sample of 1,509 respondents was selected, from which 1,410 questionnaires (93.4%) were returned and analysed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Canonical Correlation, and t-test at a 0.05 significance level. Findings showed that there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and conflict management preference. Canonical correlation revealed a significant positive relationship, strongest for emotional awareness (r = 0.350, p < 0.05). The study concluded that emotional intelligence significantly determines conflict management preference styles among senior staff. It recommended that university authorities should establish formal mediation, counselling, and conflict resolution mechanisms through dedicated staff support units, counselling centres, grievance management committees, or mediation panels where employees can access professional guidance and assistance in resolving interpersonal and workplace conflicts in a constructive, confidential, and non-adversarial manner to influence conflict management outcomes in Nigerian universities.

Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management Preference Styles, Emotional Awareness, Emotional Regulation, Management.

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