What does avoiding in conflict handling refer to?

Avoiding in conflict handling refers to a tendency to withdraw from or suppress a conflict. This approach involves not addressing the conflict head-on and can manifest in various ways, such as physically or emotionally distancing oneself from the situation or ignoring the issue altogether. While this can sometimes be a temporary strategy to manage conflict in the short term, it often leads to unresolved issues that can resurface later, potentially magnifying the problem.

This avoidance can stem from a variety of feelings, including fear of confrontation or a desire to maintain harmony in relationships. However, while it may feel easier to avoid conflict initially, it's important to recognize that such avoidance can prevent progress and keep underlying issues from being addressed effectively. In contrast, other conflict-handling modes like confronting directly, negotiating a compromise, or accommodating the other party encourage engagement with the conflict and aim for resolution.