Portuguese higher education students' perceptions of interpersonal conflicts

Abstract

This study analyses the perceptions of 770 Portuguese Higher Education (HE) students about interpersonal conflicts. The data, resulting from the application of a questionnaire survey, show that students have a negative perception of conflict, consider it common for conflicts to occur in HE, mention ‘differences of opinion’ as the main reason for interpersonal conflicts and recognise the student-student relationship as the most conflict-generating. Aware of the conflictual reality experienced by HE students, it is essential to integrate constructive conflict management strategies, such as mediation, into these contexts in order to promote individual and collective well-being of students and institutions.