5 Types of Conflict in Relationships and How to Deal With Them

Do you still remember the usual ending of every fairytale we grew up watching?

The part where they lived happily ever after? Sure, it sounds beautiful, but it’s far from reality. Relationships, no matter how much you’re in love, will still have conflicts.

We can’t avoid them, but we can learn to deal with them.

If you are in a relationship now, you might want to learn about the different types of conflict in relationships. This way, you’d know how to properly handle it when the time comes that you are experiencing one.

Related Reading: The Value of Conflict In Relationships

What are relationship conflicts?

Relationship conflicts are disagreements, debates, arguments, and struggles between two people in a relationship.

A conflict in a relationship is normal.

There is no way the two of you would always agree on something and never fight. Conflicts in a relationship, when dealt with correctly, can even strengthen your marriage or relationship.

It’s not the relationship conflicts that can ruin a relationship – it’s how you deal with it.

So, before we get into the types of relationship conflicts and how to face them, it’s significant to know what causes conflict in one relationship.

Causes of relationship conflicts

You and your partner are two very different people who happen to be in love with each other. As your relationship progresses, you start getting to know each other on a deeper level.

You discover each other’s pet peeves. You finally understand each other’s beliefs and so much more.

This is also where forms of conflict start to manifest, and here are some of the causes.

1. Unreasonable expectations

One of the biggest causes of a conflicted relationship is when a person’s expectations aren’t met.

This happens when a person starts to build up expectations. While expectations are normal, sometimes, they become unreasonable. This will, of course, create conflict in their relationship.

A person starts to resent their partner for not being able to ‘get’ what they want or need, but they often forget one thing – no one is a mind reader.

For example:

All your friends have their partners with them at your reunion. You’ve been telling your partner about this for months now, and you expect him to be your date, but he bails out because he has a meeting. 

You feel hurt and unloved. After all, you expect that he would leave his meeting and choose you over his work, right? 

Now, you start seeing something conflicted about your relationship because your expectations weren’t met. 

2. Being selfish

Sometimes, we are too focused on what we think is right and what we want, which causes us to forget that we’re in a relationship. 

What do we mean by this?

It means that when you’re in a relationship, you need to work as a team. From buying groceries to spending your money to making decisions, you and your partner should work together.

Unfortunately, this is very common. Someone in the relationship cannot think of what the other person would feel when making certain decisions.

Selfishness is the number one cause of conflicts in a relationship.

For example:

You think it’s best to move to the city where you can fulfill your dreams. However, you fail to recognize that your partner will have to leave her old parents on the farm. 

If your partner starts to go against your plans, this can cause a conflict between you.

3. Lack of communication

In most articles, we see how communication plays a vital role in a relationship. Also, the lack of it can cause different types of conflict in relationships.

If you communicate in the wrong way by using condescending words, yelling, and being sarcastic – it can cause conflict and further damage the relationship.

As they say, it’s not what you want to say, but it’s how you say it that matters.

For example:

You and your partner don’t agree whether to send your kids to a private or public school. However, instead of communicating, the both of you start throwing condescending words at each other. You begin to yell and bring up past debates.

Instead of agreeing and understanding each one’s points, you end up fighting.

Related Reading: How Does a Lack of Communication Cause Conflict in Marriage

4. Resentment

When your partner bursts out a joke that offends you, or if your partner accidentally decides on something and you feel neglected – these situations can cause relationship conflicts.

When you fail to communicate with each other and tell each other the things that might have hurt you, all of these negative emotions build up and become resentments.

Little by little, your heart is filled with pain and discontent, and you can burst out anytime.

For example:

Your partner finally got his first paycheck! You’re so thrilled because you wanted to go on a fancy date. You’ve been telling him about a nearby restaurant, and you felt that he understood what you meant by that.

However, he didn’t. He didn’t even buy you something. This situation can cause you to feel resentful towards your partner.

5. Finger pointing/Unhealthy criticism

When everything that’s happening is somehow your fault, then different types of conflicts can arise.

Who wants to stay in a relationship when your partner constantly criticizes you and your decisions? It’s like having someone to blame and avoiding taking responsibility.

Over time, this type of attitude can cause conflict in your relationship.

For example:

When choosing the best brand of an air-conditioning unit, you explain your side and suggest the brand you want. However, when the ac unit came, it had issues. This prompts your partner to lash out at you and your poor decision-making.

5 types of conflict in relationships

Now that you know the different causes of relationship conflicts, it’s time to know the 5 types of conflict in a relationship.

 What are the different types of conflict that couples can face?

1. Kids

Having kids is one of the happiest moments in anyone’s life, but for some, this can also cause different kinds of conflict if you and your partner aren’t ready for the responsibility.

One of you may think it’s better to be financially independent before having kids, while the other feels like it’s time to create a family. There can be many things to discuss here, which can lead to a conflict.

2. Finances

Of all the conflict types, money is among the top reasons couples have conflicts in their relationship.

There can be many types of conflict in relationships, but money is one of the most common issues. When two people decide to live with each other, they need to discuss their finances.

This is the time where you will discover how your partner handles their money. The reality is, not all couples have the same mindset about their finances.

Discovering that your partner has existing loans or is a big spender can already cause conflict. A typical scenario is when a hard-working spouse starts to build resentment towards the financially-irresponsible spouse.

Imagine trying your best to save for your future, and you find out that your partner has purchased something expensive that you don’t even need?

Most of the time, these types of issues never get resolved and end up in divorce.

3. Intimacy

At the beginning of a relationship, couples enjoy physical and sexual intimacy. However, as the relationship progresses, the desire to have sex can decline.

Why does this happen?

Hectic schedule, stress, household chores, poor self-esteem, and even kids can cause you and your partner to have different sexual drives.

If you want to be close to your partner and try your best to make love, but your partner gives you that irritated look and gives you an excuse of how busy and tired they are, wouldn’t this hurt your feelings?

While one wants to be close and make love, the other tries to avoid and decline. This can cause conflict in the relationship, and if the couple doesn’t talk about it or doesn’t address the issue, the relationship will suffer.

Related Reading: How Important Is Intimacy in a Relationship

4. Household responsibility

What are the types of conflict that cause couples to call it quits finally?

When one of you does all the household chores while the other doesn’t care at all, this situation can cause one partner to breed resentment.

You both have work, yet you are the only one who cleans up and does all the household chores. To top that, your partner would recklessly leave all their dirty clothes and plates in the sink, expecting you to do everything.

No one wants to stay in this type of relationship. Without addressing the issue, your resentment can build up.

5. Insecurity

Insecurity breeds jealousy. Among the types of conflict in relationships, this one is the most destructive.

If one partner feels insecure about the relationship and their partner, they tend to create issues that aren’t even there. Intrusive thoughts can escalate to baseless suspicions and arguments.

Insecurity can cause so much damage. For example, you might start thinking that your partner is being unfaithful. Then, you begin to imagine scenarios of infidelity. Before you know it, you are already breeding resentment and anger over baseless thoughts.

Any harmless call or hug from someone your partner knows can already trigger an outburst, and this doesn’t just cause conflict; it can also end your relationship.

Related Reading: 6 Key Tips to Stop Being Insecure in a Relationship

How can you deal with relationship conflicts?

Relationship conflicts will always be there. Even if you’ve been together for ten years, you will still have conflict in your relationship.

Watch this video to understand why conflicts in relationships are important.

We must understand that relationship conflicts aren’t bad.

It’s a part of any relationship, and if handled correctly, it can bring you and your partner closer together. It’s how couples grow more mature and responsible over time.

By learning how to deal with conflicts, you overcome challenges and become stronger.

What are the four types of conflict solutions that you can follow?

Related Reading: Diffusing Relationship Conflicts in 3 Steps

1. Respect each other

You are not the same person. You have your own opinion and beliefs. Start addressing your conflict with respect. Don’t shout, use hurtful words, or even belittle your partner.

Show respect and listen to what your partner has to say. Then, you will be able to meet halfway and work together to make your decisions work.

Remember that you’re partners and not enemies.

Related Reading: 10 Reasons Why Respect Is Important in a Relationship

2. Be kind and patient

Sometimes, you can get into each other’s nerves, especially if you already have resentment and anger. Still, let patience and kindness rule over.

Be there and hear out your partner’s intentions. Sometimes, it takes more than one conversation to solve a problem.

Remember that you won’t agree on anything or solve anything if you let anger and resentment get the better of you.

3. Help each other

If your partner has some financial shortcomings or is showing signs of insecurity, don’t give up on them just yet. Instead, offer help and be there to support.

Educate your partner and show them the pros and cons of the decisions they are making.

Remember that as a couple, you must help your partner.

Related Reading: 20 Steps to Becoming a Supportive Partner

4. Talk to each other

Lastly, make sure to resolve relationship conflicts by talking to each other.

Resolve conflicts by taking time to talk to each other. We’re not talking about yelling, fighting, or even starting a debate – that’s not how it works.

If your partner did something wrong – talk to them. If you feel hurt over something – let your partner know.

Listen to each other, talk to each other, and if possible, meet in the middle.

Remember that communication is one of the foundations of a strong relationship.

Conclusion

 When you enter a relationship, you’re full of love and hope.

Don’t be discouraged when you start having conflicts in your relationship.

We will all experience the different types of conflict in relationships, and some of them can be so overwhelming that sometimes, you just want to give up.

If you are in this situation, remember that every relationship will face conflicts. It’s not there to ruin your love for each other, but rather to strengthen your relationship.

It’s how you address these relationship conflicts and how you deal with them that matters. If you think the situation is too overwhelming, you can always ask for professional help.

Don’t give up on your relationship just because of conflicts, instead work together as a couple.