| The purpose of this research project was to develop an assessment instrument to define children's normal constructive conflict resolution skills and determine if those skills vary significantly according to age, gender, and race. The Children's Constructive Conflict Resolution Scale (CCCRS) is a 28-item self-report measure used to assess adolescents' skill levels in the three constructive conflict resolution areas taught by school-based peer mediation programs: (a) social problem-solving, (b) perspective-taking, and (c) compromising. Each item consists of a statement describing the use of a constructive conflict resolution skill in a conflict situation involving either a friend, a classmate, or another student.; The CCCRS was administered to 623 middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Data on the scale's reliability and validity indicate that the CCCRS has psychometric properties that warrant its use. Evidence was found for adequate to good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, as well as content and construct validity.; Three areas problematic to establishing the efficacy of peer mediation programs were addressed during CCCRS development. First, the programs are generally not sensitive to the developmental and cultural factors that affect children's conflict behaviors. Second, most peer mediation studies do not measure constructive conflict resolution skills as an outcome variable. Lastly, researchers and trainers have no valid method to assess children's constructive conflict resolution skills before and after training. Results of this study indicated that: (a) children's constructive conflict resolution skills vary significantly according to gender and race, (b) constructive conflict resolution skills are a valid outcome variable for measurement, and (c) the CCCRS is a valid instrument that can be used by peer mediation researchers and trainers.; Implications of this study support the need for more culturally diverse concepts and skills in peer mediation training programs. The need for research examining the conflict behaviors of African-American children was also demonstrated. The limitations of this study are discussed and suggestions made for further CCCRS reliability and validity studies. |
