Intraethnic Serial Arguments, Well-Being, and the Use of the Demand/Withdraw Pattern: A Comparison of Four Groups in the United States

• In Event: Intersections of Race and Ethnicity and Gender

Abstract

This paper examines intraethnic serial argument behaviors. Specifically, individual well-being (i.e., stress, rumination, positive and negative affect), taking conflict personally, and perceived resolvability of a serial argument, as well as the demand/withdraw pattern are compared between four ethnic groups in the United States: Asian-Americans (n = 172), African-Americans (n = 185), Caucasians (n = 224), and Hispanics (n =124). Results suggest several group differences based on group membership and within-group differences based on one’s strength of ethnic identity. Furthermore, results revealed several different variables predict the use of the demand/withdraw pattern in the case of each ethnic group. These results are detailed and implications for the study of intraethnic and interethnic communication are also discussed.

Authors

• Ioana A. Cionea, University of Oklahoma

• Amy Janan Johnson, U of Oklahoma

• Bobbi Van Gilder, University of Oklahoma

• Jacqueline S. Bruscella, U of Oklahoma