Exploring Causes and Consequences of University Students’ Conflicts. A Scoping Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.3.643.657Keywords:
university students, disputes, conflicts, causes, consequences, scoping reviewAbstract
Aim. Numerous studies have examined the reasons behind conflicts among pre-university students; nevertheless, there is a dearth of literature on disputes involving university students. This paper seeks to explore through a scoping review the motivations and consequences of disputes among university students.
Methods. This scoping review uses the Google Scholar database to explore 41 peer-reviewed studies and carefully analyses their empirical data. Scoping studies are often carried out with the aim of locating and cataloguing the existing data pertaining to disputes amongst university students in various countries across the world. “disputes”, “conflicts”, “university students” were the main search terms and phrases that yielded an enormous number of distinct, peer-reviewed papers.
Results. Studies showed that interpersonal factors, institutional climate, social context as well as cultural factors influence the disputes where university students are involved. It also identified that disputes related to the university students can have not only negative consequences, but also positive ones.
Conclusions. There will be a valuable source of information for universities as they create institutional services meant to support students on dispute resolution. The study made the recommendation that a psycho-sociological viewpoint can be used in order to thoroughly examine and comprehend the causes and consequences of disputes related to the university students. The research also makes the case for the necessity for additional research to be conducted in order to comprehend the numerous factors that contribute to disagreements among university students in specific contexts.
Downloads
References
Ada, A. J. (2013). Conflicts as constraints to effective management of tertiary institutions in Nigeria: The way forward. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, Rome-Italy: MCSER Publishing, 4(8), 77-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n8p77
Adepoju, T. L, & Sofowora, A. O. (2012). Management of conflict and aggressive behavior by administrators of institutions of higher learning: The case of South Western Nigeria. Review of Higher Education in Africa, 4, 85-117.
Adeyemi, T. O., Ekundayo, H. T., & Alonge, H. O. (2010). Managing students’ crisis in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Journal of Research in National Development, 8(1), 1-15.
Ajibade, D. (2013). Students’ crisis in Nigerian tertiary educational institutions: A review of the causes and management style. Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 16, 56-76. https://doi.org/10.5782/2223-2621.2013.16.1.56
Akomolafe, C. O., & Ibijola, E. Y. (2011). Students’ participation in university governance and organizational effectiveness in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria. American Journal of Social and Management Sciences, 2(2), 231–236. https://doi.org/10.5251/ajsms.2011.2.2.231.236
Akparep, J. Y. (2022). Functional or dysfunctional? An analysis of the outcomes of students-management conflicts in the University for Development Studies from 1999 to 2009. Journal of Global Peace and Conflict, 10(1), 14-21.
Akparep, J. Y. (2019). An examination of the causes of students-management conflicts in University for Development Studies from 1999 to 2009. Open Journal of Leadership, 8(2), 75-94. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojl.2019.82005
Arslan, C., Hamarta, E., & Uslu, M. (2010). The relationship between conflict communication, self-esteem and life satisfaction in university students. Educational Research and Reviews, 5(1), 31-34.
Ayoma, E. O. (2015). Influence of interpersonal conflicts on the students’ academic performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in public secondary schools: A case of Homa Bay County, Kenya. [Master’s thesis, University of Nairobi]. http://hdl.handle.net/11295/90911
Barsky, A. E. (2002). Structural sources of conflict in a university context. Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 20(2), 161-176. https://doi.org/10.1002/crq.18
Bazezew, A., & Neka, M. (2017). Interpersonal conflicts and styles of managing conflicts among students at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. Journal of Student Affairs in Africa, 32(5), 27-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.24085/jsaa.v5i1.2480
Buckmiller, T. (2010). Contradictions and conflicts: Understanding the lived experiences of Native American adult learners in a predominantly white American university. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 12(3), 6-18. https://doi.org/10.5456/WPLL.12.3.6
Butler, A. B. (2007). Job characteristics and college performance and attitudes: A model of work-school conflict and facilitation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(2), 500–510. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0021-9010.92.2.500
Cushman, S., & West, R. (2006). Precursors to college student burnout: Developing a typology of understanding. Qualitative research reports in communication, 7(1), 23-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/17459430600964638
Dippe, G. (2006). The missing teacher: Contradictions and conflicts in the experience of online learners. Proceedings of the International Conference on Networked Learning, 5. http://dx.doi.org/10.54337/nlc.v5.9468
Duka, A., Leka, K., Vampa, M., Bursová, J., & Jenisová, Z. (2024). The impact of climate in inclusive classrooms - influencing the motivation of students with special needs. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(1), 303-314. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.1.303.314
Fatile, J. O., & Adejuwon, K. D. (2011). Conflict and conflict management in tertiary institutions: The case of Nigerian universities. European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 7(1) (Special Issue), 274-288.
Gibson, J. (1995). "Can't we settle this?" Student conflicts in higher education and options for resolution. New Directions for Higher Education, 92, 27–34. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.36919959206
Gigliotti, R. J., & Huff, H. K. (1995). Role-related conflicts, strains and stresses of older-adult college students, Sociological Focus, 28(3), 329-342. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380237.1995.10571057
Gmurzyńska, E. (2021). Analysis of the causes of conflicts at universities and alternative methods of resolving them. Part I: Mediation in academic disputes. Studia Iuridica Lublinensia, 30(1), 55-101.
Goddiksen, M. P., Quinn, U., Kovács, N., Lund, T. B., Sandøe, P., Varga, O., & Willum Johansen, M. (2021). Good friend or good student? An interview study of perceived conflicts between personal and academic integrity among students in three European countries. Accountability in Research, 28(4), 247–264. https://doi.org/10.1080/08989621.2020.1826319
Gonzales, N. A., Knight, G. P., Gunn, H. J., Tein, J.-Y., Tanaka, R., & White, R. M. B. (2018). Intergenerational gaps in Mexican American values trajectories: Associations with parent–adolescent conflict and adolescent psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 30(5), 1611-1627. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954579418001256
Gresham, F. M., & Elliott, S. N. (1993). Social skills intervention guide: Systematic approaches to social skills training. Special Services in the Schools, 8(1), 137-158. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1300/J008v08n01_07
Havenga, W., & Visagie, J. (2011). Managing conflict in a South African non-profit organization: An analysis of conflict generating factors and conflict management styles. Journal of International Management Studies, 6(1). http://www.jimsjournal.org/22%20Werner%20Havenga.pdf
Home, A. M. (1998). Predicting role conflict, overload and contagion in adult women university students with families and jobs. Adult Education Quarterly, 48(2), 85-97. https://doi.org/10.1177/074171369804800204
Idris, M., Hussain, S., & Saeed, S. (2017). A comparative study of public and private sector universities about nature causes of conflicts, and role of academic personnel. Journal of Research & Reflections in Education (JRRE), 11(2), 152-161.
Jameson, J. K. (1998). Diffusion of a campus innovation: Integration of a new student dispute resolution center into the university culture. Mediation quarterly, 16(2), 129-146. https://doi.org/10.1002/crq.3890160204
Kantek, F., & Gezer, N. (2009). Conflict in schools: Student nurses’ conflict management styles. Nurse education today, 29(1), 100-107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2008.07.007
Kreitner, R. (2001). Management (8th ed.). Houghton Mifflin Company.
Kunnen, E. S. (2010). Characteristics and Prediction of Identity Conflicts Concerning Career Goals Among First-Year University Students, Identity. An International Journal of Theory and Research, 10(3), 222-231. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15283488.2010.495908
Králik, R. (2023). The influence of family and school in shaping the values of children and young people in the theory of free time and pedagogy. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 14(1), 249-268. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2023.1.249.268
Leidenfrost, J. (2015). Conflict resolution at universities: Ombudsman mediation as a tool? Perspective Focus, 101(2), 101-106.
Lingard, H. (2007). Conflict between paid work and study: Does it impact upon students’ burnout and satisfaction with university life? Journal for Education in the Built Environment, 2(1), 90–109. https://doi.org/10.11120/jebe.2007.02010090
Liu, H., & Dong, X. (2016). Influence of social relations on knowledge conflicts – an empirical study from Chinese universities. Journal of Administrative and Business Studies, 2(1), 8-18. https://doi.org/10.20474/jabs-2.1.2
Malihah, E., Nurbayani, S., & Supriyono, (2017). Teaching conflict resolution through general education at university: Preparing students to prevent or resolve conflicts in a pluralistic society. Asian Social Science, 11(12), 353-361. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v11n12p353
Millican, J. (2018). Universities and conflict. The role of higher education in peacebuilding and resistance. Routledge.
Munn, Z., Peters, M. D., Stern, C., Tufanaru, C., McArthur, A., & Aromataris, E. (2018). Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18, Article 143. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0611-x
Oladunjoye, P., & Omemu, F. (2013). Assessing manual and online course registration in Nigeria tertiary institutions. World Journal of Education, 3(6), 8-14. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v3n6p8
Olaleye, F O., & Arogundade, B. B. (2013). Conflict management strategies of university administrators in South-West Nigeria. Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 2(6), 96-104. https://doi.org/10.12816/0001212
Padrón, I., Fraga, I., Vieitez, L., Montes, C., & Romero, E. (2021). A study on the psychological wound of COVID-19 in university students. Frontiers in psychology, 12, Article 589927. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.589927
Park, Y., & Sprung, J. M. (2013). Work–school conflict and health outcomes: Beneficial resources for working college students. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 18(4), 384–394. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033614
Peters, M. D. J., Marnie, C., Tricco, A. C., Pollock, D., Munn, Z., Alexander, L., McInerney, P., Godfrey, C. M., & Khalil, H. (2020). Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews. JBI evidence synthesis, 18(10), 2119–2126. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-20-00167
Presi, O., Dervishaj, A., & La Ragione, C. (2024). Perspectives of a sustainable intercultural and inclusive education to shape life-changers of tomorrow. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 153-168. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.153.168
Schaller, M. D., & Gatesman-Ammer, A. (2022). Introducing conflict resolution and negotiation training into a biomedical sciences graduate curriculum. BMC Medical Education, 22, Article 419. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03494-5
Smith, A. (2010). The influence of education on conflict and peace building, Background paper prepared for the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2011 The Hidden Crisis: Armed conflict and education. UNESCO.
Smith, A., & Smith Ellison, C. (2012). Youth, education, and peacebuilding. International Institute for Educational Planning. https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/11416983/Youth_education_Peacebuilding.pdf
Smith, A., & Vaux, T. (2003). Education, conflict and international development. Department for International Development. https://www.ulster.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/228196/vaux-2003.pdf
Straus, M. (2004). Cross-cultural reliability and validity of the revised conflict tactics scales: A study of university student dating couples in 17 Nations. Cross-Cultural Research, November, 38(4), 407-432. Sage Publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069397104269543
Tantleff-Dunn, S., Dunn, M. E., & Gokee, J. L. (2002). Understanding faculty–student conflict: Student perceptions of precipitating events and faculty responses. Teaching of Psychology, 29(3), 197-202. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15328023TOP2903_03
Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O’Brien, K. K., Colquhoun, H., Levac, D., Moher, D., Peters, M. D., Horsley, T., Weeks, L., Hempel, S., Akl, E. A., Chang, C., McGowan, J., Stewart, L., Hartling, L., Aldcroft, A., Wilson, M. G., Garritty, C., . . . Straus, S. E. (2018). PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SCR): Checklist and explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467–473. https://doi.org/10.7326/m18-0850
Vasquez-Salgado, Y., Greenfield, P. M., & Burgos-Cienfuegos, R. (2015). Exploring home-school value conflicts: Implications for academic achievement and well-being among Latino first-generation college students. Journal of Adolescent Research, 30(3), 271–305. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1177/0743558414561297
Watson, N. T., Watson, K. L., & Stanley, C. A. (2017). Conflict management and dialogue in higher education: A global perspective (2nd ed.). Information Age Publishing.
Wilmot, W. W., & Hocker, J. L. (2010). Interpersonal conflict (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Zenelaga, B., Goga, A., & Králik, R. (2024). Inclusive universities. Exploring the wellbeing of university students with special needs in Albania. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 373-386. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.373.386
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Brunilda Zenelaga, Sherif Dervishi, Chiara Masaro, Ján Gabčo, Ervin Weiss
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
CC-BY
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. All authors agree for publishing their email adresses, affiliations and short bio statements with their articles during the submission process.
