Family Conflict: Managing the Unexpected - Paperback

by Heather Canary (Author), Daniel Canary (Author)

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.

Back Jacket

"Scholars and students alike will appreciate this highly accessible volume. The authors masterfully weave together multiple perspectives to cogently capture the state of the art on family conflict."
Brett Laursen, Florida Atlantic University

"This is an excellent piece of well-balanced, integrative scholarship. The writing is precise yet engaging and the book will be an excellent introduction to family conflict for people new to the area and a useful resource for people already familiar with the topic."
John Caughlin, University of Illinois

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 stepfamilies. This 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 with be essential reading for students of family communications, 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.

Author Biography

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.