This research explores gender differences in communication within romantic relationships, focusing on university students due to a literature gap in this demographic. The study investigates four communication scenarios: expressing liking, handling conflicts, indicating forgiveness, and conveying intentions of break-up. Online questionnaires were distributed over three months, with 200 Taiwanese university students participating in this survey. Using independent-sample t-tests, the results suggested that men exhibited significantly greater use of romantic communication styles to express love, including a willingness to sacrifice. Women tended to adopt indirect fighting strategies during conflicts, while men favored the 'Minimization Strategy' for showing forgiveness. Gendered differences were also observed in break-up communication, with men showing a higher inclination towards 'Genuine de-escalation.' The study emphasizes recognizing and accepting these gendered differences in communication strategies to enhance mutual satisfaction in romantic relationships. Practical suggestions include adapting communication styles to accommodate these nuances. The findings underscore the pivotal role of communication in shaping romantic relationships and highlight the importance of understanding and adjusting communication strategies for improved relational dynamics.

Authors:
Chin-Hui Chen, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
Yong-Jen Chen, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
Wan-Yi Zhou, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
Yu-Jing Chen, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
Chang-En Wu, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
Yi-Zhen Zhu, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology , taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Chin-Hui Chen is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in Taiwan

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

Bookmark