Interpersonal conflicts are an inevitable part of life and may be especially conspicuous in early adolescence. Recent research suggests, however, that structural aspects of relationships influence interpersonal conflicts. Specifically, closeness and openness of the relationships within which the conflicts occur moderate patterns of such conflicts. A total of 155 adolescents kept diary records of their in vivo, daily conflicts and interactions for 2 weeks using an adolescent-appropriate, conflict-oriented adaptation of the Rochester Interaction Record. On average, interactions without conflicts outnumbered conflicts 2 to 1; however, many reported diary records involved conflicts. Patterns of conflict were related to the kinds of relationships within which the conflicts occurred. Some results were consistent with predictions derived from a social exchange approach but other results were not. Outcomes are discussed in terms of interpersonal contributions to adolescent development.
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