In conflict resolution research, the Big Five personality trait neuroticism is positively associated with an avoiding conflict style.
NOT BSTOTAL BS
HARDLY BS — Verdict: Mostly True
Verified by Lenz ·
The Short Version
The literature generally supports this association. Several direct studies and synthesis materials find that higher neuroticism is linked to more avoidant or withdrawal-based conflict handling, but the exact pattern depends on how “avoiding” is measured and on the sample studied. Some cited evidence concerns conflict frequency rather than conflict style and does not directly bear on the claim.
Caveats
Different studies operationalize the outcome differently, such as Rahim-style “avoiding” versus relationship “withdrawal,” so findings are similar but not perfectly interchangeable.
The association is general, not universal; some populations may show weaker, null, or unreported neuroticism-avoidance effects.
Evidence about conflict frequency or relationship distress should not be conflated with evidence about an avoiding conflict-management style.