Family Communication examines the state-of-the-art research and theories of family communication and family relationships. Authors Chris Segrin and Jeanne Flora present contemporary, cutting-edge research as well as classic theories and research findings that have influenced and revolutionized the way in which scholars conceptualize family interaction. This book provides a thorough and up-to-date presentation of scientific research in family communication for teachers and students of family communication as well as professionals who work with families. Segrin and Flora have critically selected and evaluated research from relevant disciplines, and have translated that knowledge into a language understandable to a broad range of readers. With specific emphasis on communication in families, this volume also includes research from family studies, nursing, psychology, social work, and sociology, making Family Communication a uniquely interdisciplinary resource. Family Communication offers four main sections: Family communication and basic family processes - introducing readers to fundamental issues in the study of family communication; Communication in Family Subsystems, exploring what is known about communication in different types of families or family relationships; Communication during family stress, looking at theoretical models of how families react to and handle stress, normative and non-normative family stressors; Family interaction, health, and well-being, considers the role of family communication in mental and physical health, in addition to the role of communication in family violence and abuse. The text concludes with an appendix that overviews family research methodologies. Serving the family communication discipline, this text offers undergraduate students a complete and easy-to-understand discussion of relevant theory and research, while advanced readers and scholars will have a comprehensive reference to classic and contemporary scholarship on family communication and relationships.
