The 18 skill-building interventions that included conflict resolution skills content showed greater reductions in youth externalizing behavior than those that did not include this content.

Children and youth who have not developed the ability to manage and resolve interpersonal conflicts occurring at school, home, and in their communities may be more likely to engage in aggressive responses to such conflicts. Including specific training in conflict resolution skills as part of a skill-building intervention, such as mediation, negotiating with peers, and collaborative problem solving, may help mitigate these problems. Peer-to-peer interventions are another common way to build conflict resolution skills, which may also help drive changes in school climate. In these situations, peers in a potentially conflicted relationship are equipped with the same vocabulary and skill sets to engage with each other in a safer, more appropriate way.

Assess Feasibility

Program content. Assess the extent to which your program already covers conflict resolution skills, including time for modeling, practice, and role plays.
Staff development. Do staff have the necessary skills to manage classrooms, and facilitate role plays effectively? Do they need training on creating safe and supportive environments for youth to feel comfortable participating?
Program structure. Assess the current length of your program and whether there is room to add conflict resolution content to your lesson plans. What might need to change to accommodate additional material and practice time for participants? What accommodations are needed to include youth with disabilities in role plays?

Take Action

Consider the following courses of action depending on the results of your feasibility assessment:

Revise lesson plans, staff training content or internal program guidance to ensure coverage of conflict resolution skills.
Provide training and support for staff as needed to facilitate role plays. Consult with resource teachers on ways to include youth with disabilities in the lesson activities.
Involve youth in creating safe and supportive environments for learning and practicing conflict resolution skills.
Engage youth and parents in planning to ensure content is relevant and designed to meet their needs.
Insert opportunities for youth to practice conflict resolution skills. Ideas include role play, resolving actual conflicts through negotiation, suggesting solutions, and asking for alternatives.
Use reflection to help youth assess and build their conflict resolution skills, e.g., recording and reviewing practice sessions.

Breadcrumb

Emphasize Conflict Resolution Skills

Outcome

Externalizing Behavior

Intervention Family

Skill-Building Interventions