Intractable workplace conflicts that impede individual and organizational success are common, yet little is understood about how such cycles are formed. Structurational divergence (SD) theory explains intractable conflict cycles resulting from incompatible meaning structures. SD-nexus is the interpenetration of equally compelling but incompatible structures, creating unresolvable conflicts, thus escalating the SD-nexus to the SD-cycle of intractable conflict: unresolvable conflict, immobilization, and erosion of development that perpetuates the unresolvable conflicts. The presence of both SD-nexus and SD-cycle is diagnosed as SD. SD has been studied in nursing, contributing to negative occupational outcomes (e.g., burnout, bullying, role conflict, low job satisfaction, and high turnover). No research has examined how SD-nexus escalates to SD-cycle. This study presents an exploratory secondary analysis of data from a previous study. Communication-related variables that are significantly correlated with SD were used to determine which may be associated with SD-nexus-to-SD-cycle escalation. Results suggest that nonconfrontational conflict management style and taking conflict personally may escalate SD. Future research examining these variables, along with self-efficacy and other variables gleaned from the literature, is recommended.

IntroductionStudies show that tobacco use among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations is disproportionately higher than heterosexual or cisgender populations. However, few studies have examined tobacco use among SGM subgroups by race/ethnicity or associations between SGM-specific discrimination and connection to SGM identity and tobacco use.MethodsThis study analysed survey data from 11 313 SGM (gay, lesbian, bisexual, other sexual minority or gender minority) young adults in the USA and reported current cigarette, e-cigarette, other tobacco (cigar, smokeless tobacco, hookah) and polytobacco use. We used multinomial logistic regression to estimate associations between (a) SGM subgroup, race/ethnicity, SGM-specific discrimination and SGM identity connection and (b) each tobacco use outcome (vs never use of tobacco). We conducted postestimation testing to assess predicted probabilities of tobacco use against the sample average.ResultsLesbian females (particularly black lesbian females) had higher-than-average probability of polytobacco use. White bisexual and lesbian participants had higher-than-average probability of cigarette and e-cigarette use, respectively. Higher levels of discrimination were associated with polytobacco use. Higher levels of identity connectedness were protective against certain tobacco use behaviours among gender minority participants and participants with high levels of discrimination experience.ConclusionsWe found variations in tobacco use by SGM subgroups overall and by race/ethnicity. Discrimination may be a risk factor for certain tobacco use behaviours. However, SGM identity connectedness may be protective against tobacco use among gender minority individuals and individuals experiencing SGM-specific discrimination. These findings can inform targeted approaches to reach SGM subgroups at greater risk of tobacco use.

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