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Why University Teachers Use Different Conflict Resolving Styles? Role of Emotional Empathy and Forgiveness in Gender Differences

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Title: Why University Teachers Use Different Conflict Resolving Styles? Role of Emotional Empathy and Forgiveness in Gender Differences
Language: English
Authors: Shazia Khalid, Sumaya Batool, Sabir Zaman (ORCID 0000-0001-7983-0602), Alam Zeb Khattak (ORCID 0000-0001-8601-7089), Muhammad Muslim Khan (ORCID 0009-0009-8583-0129)
Source: Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. 2026 18(4):1082-1094.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Faculty, Sex, Gender Differences, Conflict Resolution, Teaching Styles, Empathy
Geographic Terms: Pakistan
DOI: 10.1108/JARHE-10-2024-0533
ISSN: 2050-7003
1758-1184
Abstract: Purpose: This study examines the integration of emotional empathy and forgiveness into conflict resolution models, specifically among male and female university teachers. The primary objective of this study was to explore gender differences in conflict resolution styles among university teachers, with a particular emphasis on how emotional factors, including empathy and forgiveness. Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a cross-sectional research design and included a sample of 119 public university faculty members (59 men and 60 women) aged 25-50 years. Data were collected using conflict resolution questionnaires, the Emotional Empathy Scale and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale to assess participants' conflict management styles and emotional traits. Findings: The findings revealed gender differences in conflict resolution styles among university faculty members. Women predominantly adopted power, consideration and atmosphere-focused conflict resolution styles, whereas men primarily relied on a doubt-based approach. Regression analysis further indicated that high emotional empathy and high forgiveness enhanced consideration and power conflict resolution styles in women. In contrast, low emotional empathy and low forgiveness intimidated the consideration style, while high emotional empathy combined with low forgiveness facilitated the power style in men. Additionally, the study found that emotional empathy and forgiveness had significant main effects on atmosphere and doubt-based conflict responses across both genders. Originality/value: This research contributes uniquely by integrating emotional empathy and forgiveness into gender-specific conflict management frameworks, offering valuable insights into conflict resolution dynamics in higher education. The findings highlight the importance of emotional factors in shaping conflict management strategies.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507656
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Why University Teachers Use Different Conflict Resolving Styles? Role of Emotional Empathy and Forgiveness in Gender Differences
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  Data: English
– Name: Author
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  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shazia+Khalid%22">Shazia Khalid</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sumaya+Batool%22">Sumaya Batool</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sabir+Zaman%22">Sabir Zaman</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7983-0602">0000-0001-7983-0602</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alam+Zeb+Khattak%22">Alam Zeb Khattak</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8601-7089">0000-0001-8601-7089</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Muhammad+Muslim+Khan%22">Muhammad Muslim Khan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8583-0129">0009-0009-8583-0129</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Applied+Research+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 18(4):1082-1094.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 13
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Faculty%22">College Faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex%22">Sex</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Differences%22">Gender Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Conflict+Resolution%22">Conflict Resolution</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Styles%22">Teaching Styles</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Empathy%22">Empathy</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pakistan%22">Pakistan</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/JARHE-10-2024-0533
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2050-7003<br />1758-1184
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: This study examines the integration of emotional empathy and forgiveness into conflict resolution models, specifically among male and female university teachers. The primary objective of this study was to explore gender differences in conflict resolution styles among university teachers, with a particular emphasis on how emotional factors, including empathy and forgiveness. Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a cross-sectional research design and included a sample of 119 public university faculty members (59 men and 60 women) aged 25-50 years. Data were collected using conflict resolution questionnaires, the Emotional Empathy Scale and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale to assess participants' conflict management styles and emotional traits. Findings: The findings revealed gender differences in conflict resolution styles among university faculty members. Women predominantly adopted power, consideration and atmosphere-focused conflict resolution styles, whereas men primarily relied on a doubt-based approach. Regression analysis further indicated that high emotional empathy and high forgiveness enhanced consideration and power conflict resolution styles in women. In contrast, low emotional empathy and low forgiveness intimidated the consideration style, while high emotional empathy combined with low forgiveness facilitated the power style in men. Additionally, the study found that emotional empathy and forgiveness had significant main effects on atmosphere and doubt-based conflict responses across both genders. Originality/value: This research contributes uniquely by integrating emotional empathy and forgiveness into gender-specific conflict management frameworks, offering valuable insights into conflict resolution dynamics in higher education. The findings highlight the importance of emotional factors in shaping conflict management strategies.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1507656
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        Value: 10.1108/JARHE-10-2024-0533
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 13
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Faculty
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      – SubjectFull: Sex
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      – SubjectFull: Gender Differences
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      – SubjectFull: Teaching Styles
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      – SubjectFull: Empathy
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      – SubjectFull: Pakistan
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