Conflict Management Strategies Among Nurses in Hospitals: A Systematic Literature Review
Article Sidebar
Abstract:
Background: Conflict is an inevitable phenomenon in hospital settings due to the complexity of healthcare services, high workloads, and interprofessional interactions. Effective conflict management strategies are essential to maintain a positive work environment, improve nursing performance, and ensure quality patient care.
Aims: This study aimed to identify and analyze conflict management strategies used by nurses in hospital settings based on current scientific evidence.
Methods: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature was searched through Dimensions AI, PubMed, and Google Scholar for articles published between 2020 and 2026. After the screening and eligibility process, 19 original research articles were included and analyzed using descriptive synthesis.
Result: The review found that collaborating was the most frequently applied conflict management strategy, followed by compromising, accommodating, avoiding, and competing. Strategy selection was influenced by emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, communication skills, moral competence, work experience, and organizational culture. Collaborative strategies were consistently associated with improved teamwork, conflict resolution, and nursing performance.
Conclusion: Collaborative conflict management is the predominant strategy used by nurses in hospitals. Strengthening communication, leadership, and interpersonal competencies can enhance nurses' ability to manage workplace conflicts effectively and improve the quality of nursing care.
Keywords: Conflict Management, Hospitals, Nurses, Strategy, Systematic Literature Review
Copyright (c) 2026 Dina Renata, Akhsanit Takwim, Beda Siti Nurbaya, Aprilia Eka Wulandari, Fatikha Dyta Angraeni, Fahreza Divfa Billah Pambudi, Muhammad Dafa Rizqi, Erika Putri
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Abd El-Moneam Ahmed, S., & Gaballah, S. (2023). Conflict and communication gap among the critical care nurses during care of patients with COVID-19. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 18, 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2022.100499
Abdelazeem Ibrahim, S., Abdullah Mohamed, H., & Emad EL-Gazar, H. (2020). Conflict Management Strategies Utilized by Nurse Managers and its Relationship to Vertical Dyad Linkage with Nurses. Port Said Scientific Journal of Nursing, 7(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.21608/pssjn.2020.94023
Abdyzhalieva, A. S., Savin, V. E., Chubakov, T. C., Mamatova, K. T., & Rozyeva, R. S. (2025). Conflict resolution style in professional activities of nurses. Heart, Vessels and Transplantation, 9(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.24969/hvt.2024.544
Abu, A., Mohammed, E., Ahmed, A. R., Alboelola, T. H., Alrwil, A. G., Alhazm, L. A., El, L. A., Ahmed, H. A., Mohamed, S., Soliman, A., Khalf, S., Soliman, M., Mohammed, S., & Ali, A. (2025). The Role of Emotional Intelligence Program in Effective Nurses’ Management, Stress, and Conflict Resolution. VASCULAR & ENDOVASCULAR REVIEW, 8(10), 115–129. www.VERjournal.comORCID:https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7158-9903
Adriana Amal, A., Nurhidayah, Huriati, Rauf, S., & Wahyunengsih, S. (2022). Strategi Mitigasi Konflik Perawat Di Ruang Rawat Inap RSUD Haji Makassar. Alauddin Scientific Journal of Nursing, 3(2), 131–137. https://journal.uin-alauddin.ac.id/index.php/asjn/article/view/33366
Alan, H., Gül, D., & Baykal, Ü. (2022). The relationship between the conflict management strategies and ethical leadership behaviours of nurse managers perceived by nurses. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(7), 2370–2378. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13840
Alanazy, W., & Alzamil, S. K. S. (2026). The impact of emotional intelligence on conflict management styles used by Saudi nurse managers—a cross sectional, correlational study. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1630530
Alkorashy, H. A., Alosaimi, A. A., Alruwaili, N. F., & Alshahrani, S. N. (2023). Conflict occurrence and preferred management styles among ICU nurses during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. Nursing in Critical Care, 29(2), 407–416. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12980
Alluhaybi, A., Usher, K., Durkin, J., & Wilson, A. (2026). An Exploration of Nurse Manager Leadership Styles and the Effect on Work Engagement Among Staff Nurses: A Mixed-Method Study. Nursing Open, 13(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70407
Alsadaan, N., & Alqahtani, M. (2024). Toxic Leadership in Emergency Nurses: Assessing Abusive Supervision and Its Team-Level Impacts on Conflict Management and Organizational Commitment. Journal of Nursing Management, 2024, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/4271602
Alzahrani, A. A., Altowairqi, M. A., Fayih, N., Almuqati, S., Alfahmi, H. M., Alhussain, A., Mahnashi, Y., Ahmed, A., Zakri, M., Mohammed, F., Bahri, N., Ahmed, K., Alshahrani, A., Ayadh, A., Alqarni, G., Ghormullah, S., Alghamdi, S., Al-Qahtani, A. F., Swailem, N., … Qahtani, A. L. (2022). Frist-Line Nurse Managers’ Leadership Styles And Conflict Management Strategies At Hospital. Migration Letters, 19(S2), 1233–1242. www.migrationletters.com
Amirkhanlou, Z., Esmaeili, R., Emami Zeydi, A., Khademlu, M., Ghorbani Vajargah, P., Karkhah, S., & Jafari, H. (2025). Moral competence and conflict management styles in emergency nurses: a cross-sectional study. Annals of Medicine & Surgery, 87(4), 1870–1875. https://doi.org/10.1097/ms9.0000000000003031
Aromateris, E., & Mun, Z. (2021). JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.46658/JBIMES-20-01
Aseery, M., Mahran, S., & Felemban, O. (2023). The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Management Strategies From the Nurse Managers’ Perspective. Cureus, 15(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.35669
Assi, M. D., Eshah, N. F., & Rayan, A. (2022). The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Conflict Resolution Styles Among Nurse Managers: A Cross-Sectional Study. SAGE Open Nursing, 8, 2. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608221142371
Barker, H. R., Griffiths, P., & Dall’Ora, C. (2025). “I don’t think there’s necessarily a one size fits all” negotiating competing priorities in nurse shift scheduling: a qualitative study. BMC Nursing, 24(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03705-6
Bashir, K., Bashir, N., Shahzadi, A., & Ashraf, A. (2022). Conflict Management Strategies of Nurses Distributed according to the Age and Length of Time in Position. NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences), 2(1), 11–15. https://doi.org/10.54393/nrs.v2i01.27
Bashir, K., Shahzadi, A., Ashraf, A., & Bashir, N. (2022). Conflict Management Among Nurses in Tertiary Care Hospital Lahore. NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences), 2(2), 26–30. https://doi.org/10.54393/nrs.v2i02.26
Cho, H., & Steege, L. M. (2025). Authentic Leadership, Psychological Safety, Missed Nursing Care, and Intention to Leave Among Hospital Nurses. International Nursing Review, 72(3), 1. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.70065
Dar Assi, M., & Eshah, N. F. (2023a). Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution styles among nurse managers: a cross-sectional study. British Journal of Health Care Management, 29(6), 1. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjhc.2021.0108
Dar Assi, M., & Eshah, N. F. (2023b). Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution styles among nurse managers: a cross-sectional study. British Journal of Health Care Management, 29(6), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjhc.2021.0108
Dehbanizadeh, A., Mirzaee, M., & Roustaei, N. (2024). Assessment of the relationship between ethical reasoning and conflict management style among nurses. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 13(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1572_23
Delak, B., & Širok, K. (2022). Physician–nurse conflict resolution styles in primary health care. Nursing Open, 9(2), 1077–1085. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1147
Farhadloo, R., Azadeh, M. R., Hoseini, M. H. M., Sharififard, F., Vahedian, M., & Parvaresh-Masoud, M. (2024). Prevalence of Workplace Conflicts and the Used Coping Strategies Among Nurses in Teaching Hospitals in Qom City, Iran: A Cross-sectional Study. Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery, 34(1), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.32598/JHNM.34.1.2506
Fowler, K. R., Robbins, L. K., & Lucero, A. (2021). Nurse manager communication and outcomes for nursing: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(6), 1486–1495. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13324
González-García, A., Pinto-Carral, A., Marqués-Sánchez, P., Quiroga-Sánchez, E., Bermejo-Martínez, D., & Pérez-González, S. (2025). Characteristics of Nurse Managers’ Conflict Management Competency. A Systematic Review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 81(4), 1717–1733. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16600
Heidari, A., Kazemi, S. B., Kabir, M. J., Khatirnamani, Z., Lotfi, M., Rafiei, N., Tajari, M., Jafar, S., & Zanganeh, F. (2024). The relationship of communication skills with leadership style and conflict management strategies of head nurses: A cross-sectional study in Northern Iran. Journal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery, 21(1), 38–42. https://doi.org/10.29252/jgbfnm.21.1.38
Inácio, M., Carvalho, M., Paulino, A., Costa, P., Figueiredo, A. R., Nunes, E., Cruchinho, P., & Lucas, P. (2025). Nursing Practice Environment in the Armed Forces: Scoping Review. Nursing Reports, 15(11), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15110394
International Council of Nurses. (2021). Nurses: A Voice to Lead - A Vision for Future Healthcare. https://www.icn.ch/publications
Kim, S. Y., & Ko, Y. (2025). Mediating Effect of Team Effectiveness of the Nursing Unit on the Nursing Work Environment and Patient-Centered Nursing: A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare (Switzerland), 13(17), 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172080
Kızılkaya, S. (2024). The mediating role of job burnout in the effect of conflict management on work stress in nurses. Current Psychology, 43(23), 20275–20285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05776-1
Labrague, L. J. (2021). Influence of nurse managers’ toxic leadership behaviours on nurse-reported adverse events and quality of care. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(4), 855–863. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13228
Moustafa, H. M., Hassan, R. M., & Badran, F. M. (2025). Effect of negotiation skills training program on head nurses’ knowledge and behavior. BMC Nursing, 24(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02581-w
Niinihuhta, M., & Häggman-Laitila, A. (2022). A systematic review of the relationships between nurse leaders’ leadership styles and nurses’ work-related well-being. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 28(5), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.13040
Nikitara, M., Dimalibot, M. R., Latzourakis, E., & Constantinou, C. S. (2024). Conflict Management in Nursing: Analyzing Styles, Strategies, and Influencing Factors: A Systematic Review. Nursing Reports, 14(4), 4173–4192. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep14040304
Ningrum, L. R., Alfionita, F., Herwati, I., & Ayu, J. P. (2026). The Relationship Between Conflict Management and Nurse Performance in a Secondary-Level Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study A Multidisciplinary Journal for Health Professionals. Multidisciplinary Journal for Health Professionals Health Frontiers J HealProf, 4(1), 102–113. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.62255/mjhp.v4i1.119
Nurbaeti, R. F., Pinandhika, & Hulu, S. R. K. (2022). Literatur Review: Analisis Strategi Manajemen Konflik Perawat Manajer dengan Pendekatan Kolaborasi di IGD RS X Depok. Indonesian Journal of Nursing Scientific, 2(2), 45–57. https://doi.org/10.58467/ijons.v2i2.39
O’Donovan, R., Rogers, L., Khurshid, Z., De Brún, A., Nicholson, E., O’Shea, M., Ward, M., & McAuliffe, E. (2021). A systematic review exploring the impact of focal leader behaviours on health care team performance. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(6), 1420–1443. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13403
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Platis, C., Christonasis, T., Stergiannis, P., Intas, G., & Kostagiolas, P. (2021). Investigating the Main Causes of Conflicts and the Management Strategies That Are Used by Healthcare Professionals: The Case of General Hospital of Arta. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1337, 27–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78771-4_4
Putra, A., Kamil, H., Yuswardi, Y., Mahdarsari, M., Fitri, A., & Maurissa, A. (2026). Conflict Management Strategies among Nurses: A Survey Study at a General Hospital. J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci, (8), 191–194. https://doi.org/10.22442/jlumhs.2026.01555
Resubun, C. C., Efendi, F., & Wahyuni, S. D. (2025). Factors Influencing Nurse Retention in Conflict Zones: A Systematic Review. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research, 7(2), 55–66. https://doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v7i2.5302
Rosita Candra Dewi, R., Emy Darma Yanti, N. P., Mei Rahajeng, I., & Menik Sri Krisnawati, K. (2022). Nurses’ Perceptions About Conflict Management Strategy of Head Nurse. Nursing and Health Sciences Journal (NHSJ), 2(3), 224–227. https://doi.org/10.53713/nhs.v2i3.133
Sbordoni, E. de C., Madaloni, P. N., de Oliveria, G. S., Fogliano, R. R. F., Neves, V. R., & Balsanelli, A. P. (2020). Strategies used by nurses for conflict mediation. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 73, 7. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0894
Specchia, M. L., Cozzolino, M. R., Carini, E., Di Pilla, A., Galletti, C., Ricciardi, W., & Damiani, G. (2021). Leadership styles and nurses’ job satisfaction. Results of a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041552
Trisnadewi, A., & Rosa, E. M. (2026). Nurse Management and Leadership Practices in Hospitals: A Systematic Review. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research, 8(3), 345–356. https://doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v8i3.1424
Tsapnidou, E., Moudatsou, M., Katharakis, G., Koukouli, S., Rovithis, M., Kelesi, M., & Stavropoulou, A. (2025). The Impact of Toxic Leadership on Nurse Retention: A Scoping Review. Healthcare (Switzerland), 13(18), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13182341
Van Kraaij, J., De Vries, N., Wessel, H., Vermeulen, H., Van Oostveen, C., Miedema, N., Kuijper, S., Felder, M., Wallenburg, I., Goossens, L., Bal, R., Spits, J., Schalkwijk, H., Martini, D., Lalleman, P., Stalpers, D., & Schoonhoven, L. (2025). Enhancing work environments and reducing turnover intention: a multicenter longitudinal cohort study on differentiated nursing practices in Dutch hospitals. BMC Nursing, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02681-7
World Health Organization. (2020). State of the world’s nursing 2020: Investing in education, jobs and leadership. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240003279
Xiao, Y., & Watson, M. (2019). Guidance on Conducting a Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 39(1), 93–112. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X17723971
