Self- critical rumination and conflict resolution responses in couple relationships: The mediating role of overcompensation coping modes

Adulthood and relationships play an important role in individuals' lives and have been frequently discussed in academic literature. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of overcompensatory coping modes in the relationship between self-critical rumination and conflict resolution reactions in couple relationships in adulthood. It was examined whether individuals' overcompensatory coping modes had an impact on the relationship between these two variables. Hypotheses were developed by taking into account the theoretical explanations and research results in the literature. The sample of the research consists of a total of 277 adult individuals, 204 women and 73 men between the ages of 18-64. Participants were selected by a convenience sampling method. Volunteers who were adults and had or had been in a romantic relationship for at least three months participated in the study. In order to collect data in the study, sociodemographic information form, Self-Critical Rumination Scale (SCRS), Conflict Resolution Reactions in Bilateral Relationships Scale and Schema Mode Inventory (Version 3) (SMI) were used. Items from two subscales of the Schema Mode Inventory were used. These are the items of the 'Grandeful' and 'Skeptical Overcontrolling' dimensions. The scales and sociodemographic information forms to be used in the research were communicated to the participants through online surveys, and the data for the research were collected in this way. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were used in data analysis. The research results revealed that adaptive behavior differed significantly by gender. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between adaptive behavior and self-critical rumination. On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between adaptive behavior and overcompensatory coping styles. Mediation analysis revealed that self-critical rumination was positively related to overcompensatory coping styles and negatively related to adaptive behavior. However, no significant relationship was found between overcompensatory coping styles and adaptive behavior. The findings were evaluated in line with the literature, and the effects of self-critical rumination and overcompensatory coping styles on conflict resolution responses in couple relationships were discussed.