Conflict Resolution Strategies and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: the Moderating Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence

The relationship between conflict resolution strategies and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and the moderating role of trait Emotional Intelligence (EI) were investigated. Participants were 320 public servants (male = 180, female = 140) randomly selected from 5 states in southwestern Nigeria. Measures of trait EI, OCB, and conflict resolution strategies were administered to the respondents, and multiple regression was used to analyze the data collected. The results indicate that forcing and withdrawing strategies negatively and significantly predicted OCB. Confronting, compromising, and smoothing strategies significantly predicted OCB. Trait EI moderated the relationship between OCB and forcing and withdrawing strategies. It was recommended that counseling and organizational psychologists should design trait EI education and training in conflict resolution for both subordinates and superiors in work organizations.