Family Conflict: Managing the Unexpected (Key Themes in Family Communication)

Family Conflict takes a life course approach as it provides an accessible discussion of family conflict issues, processes, and outcomes.  Chapters draw on recent theory and research regarding sub-systems and stages in family life to give readers resource-rich overviews of conflict in contemporary families.  After the initial chapter presents the landscape of family conflict theory and research, chapters focus on conflict in couple relationships, parent-child relationships, sibling relationships, and in stepfamilies.  The book concludes with a discussion of how specific work, health, and disability challenges facing today’s families influence, and are influenced by, conflict interactions.

Family Conflict will be essential reading for students of family communication, family researchers, professionals who work with families in various stages of life, and anyone who desires a deeper understanding of their own family conflict processes.

Heather Canary is assistant professor in the department of communication at the University of Utah. Her co-edited book Communication and Organizational Knowledge: Contemporary Issues for Theory and Practice was nominated for Book of the Year Award, Organizational Communication Division, National Communication Association, 08/2011.

Daniel Canary is professor of human communication at Arizona State University. He has co-authored or edited 10 books and over 50 articles, book chapters and essays. Dan is a past president of the International Network for Personal Relationships.