Is Older Indeed Wiser? Identifying Conflict Communication Patterns in Older and Younger Dating Couples

Abstract

ABSTRACT More adults are dating in later life, yet little is known regarding how older adults navigate conflict in their newly formed relationships. Given theories suggesting that older adults are especially skilled in minimizing negativity within their relationships, the current study utilized data from 81 dating couples (age range 30–88) to examine potential age differences in couples’ behavioral patterns during observed conflict discussions. Using sequence analysis, we identified four distinct multi-turn communication patterns, known as conversational motifs, which characterized couples’ discussions: oppositional problem-solving, cooperative problem-solving, positive passivism, and avoidance. Further analyses revealed no significant age differences in the prevalence of these motifs within couples’ conversations. However, age moderated the effect of oppositional problem-solving motifs on post-conversation appraisals for men. If couples engaged in more oppositional problem-solving sequences, younger, but not older, men rated the conversation as less satisfying. The implications of these findings for understanding age differences in communication are discussed.