Engaging Theories in Family Communication Multiple Perspectives

Foreword  

Dawn O. Braithwaite

Preface  

Elizabeth A. Suter, Kory Floyd, Elizabeth A. Hintz, and Dawn O. Braithwaite

1. Introduction: The Landscape of Paradigm and Theory in Family Communication Research  

Elizabeth A. Suter, Kory Floyd, Elizabeth A. Hintz, Dawn O. Braithwaite, Lili Romann, and Karen Shalev

Part 1: (Meta)Theoretical Perspectives in Family Communication Research  

2. Critical Feminist Family Communication Theory: Gender, Critique, and Praxis  

Patricia J. Sotirin and Laura L. Ellingson

3. Discourse Dependent Theory: Constituting “Family” through Language  

Sara Docan-Morgan

4. General Systems Theory: A Worldview Applied to Family Interactions  

Christina G. Yoshimura 

5. Social Construction Theory: Communication Co-Creating Families  

Elissa Foster and Dawn O. Braithwaite

6. Theory of Natural Selection: An Evolutionary Approach to Family Communication  

Kory Floyd and Nicole Zenzola

Part II: Theoretical Perspectives in Family Communication Research  

7. Advocacy Communication Theory: Family Communication as an Early Site of Resistance  

Kyungin Kim and Monica Cornejo

8. Affection Exchange Theory: A Bio-Evolutionary Look at Affectionate Communication  

Kory Floyd and Colin Hesse

9. Attachment Theory in Families: The Role of Communication  

Laura K. Guerrero and Shelby R. Singh

10. Communicated Narrative Sense-Making Theory: Linking Storytelling and Well-Being  

Jody Koenig Kellas 

11. Communication Accommodation Theory and Communication Theory of Identity: Individual Identities and Family Relationships  

Jinwen Yue and Colleen Warner

12. Communication Privacy Management Theory: Understanding Families  

Jeffrey T. Child and Sandra Petronio

13. Communication Theory of Resilience: Untangling Adaptive-Transformative Processes When Families Anticipate or Experience Loss and Disruption  

Patrice Buzzanell

14. Communicative Relational Distancing Theory: Navigating Distance in Personal Relationships  

Kristina M. Scharp and Elizabeth Dorrance-Hall

15. Confirmation Theory: Family Relational Climates and Child Development  

René M. Dailey

16. Critical Communication and Race Theory: Embedding Family Processes Within Wider Systems of Race and Racism  

Megan E. Cardwell

17. Family Communication Patterns Theory: A Grand Theory of Family Communication  

Ascan F. Koerner, Paul Schrodt, and Mary Anne Fitzpatrick

18. Intergroup Communication Theoretical Perspective: Understanding and Recognizing Identity and Difference in Family Relationships  

Jordan Soliz and Hannah Smith

19. Intersectionality Theory: Moving the Margins for (Black) Family Communication  

Robin M. Boylorn and Lavia Walker

20. Minority Stress Theory: Family as a Site of Both Support and Strain  

Kelly Merrill Jr., Balkisa M. Sissy, and Ruth Emmanuel

21. Narrative Performance Theory: Making Stories, Doing Family  

Kristin M. Langellier, Eric E. Peterson, and Liliana L. Herakova

22. Queer Theory: Challenging Heteronormative Expectations of Family  

Jimmie Manning

23. Relational Dialectics Theory: Critically Examining Talk Within and About Family  

Elizabeth A. Suter, Leah M. Seurer, and Erin Sahlstein Parcell 

24. Relational Turbulence Theory: Understanding Family Communication During Times of Change  

Leanne K. Knobloch, Denise Haunani Solomon, Jennifer A. Theiss, and Rachel M. McLaren

25. Social Learning Theory: Modeling and Communication within the Family  

Alesia Woszidlo and Weimiao Zhou

26. Theory of Communicative (Dis)enfranchisement: Ramifications, Reification, and Resistance  

Elizabeth A. Hintz and Kristina M. Scharp

27. Theory of Memorable Messages: Applications for Family Communication  

Valerie Rubinsky and Angela Cooke-Jackson

28. Theory of Resilience and Relational Load: Understanding the Communication of Stress and Resilience in Families  

Tamara D. Afifi, Monet Tchamdjoci, and Hannah O'Connell 

Part III: Looking Ahead  

29. Emerging Conceptual and Theoretical Perspectives  

Black Families: Traditions, Practices, and Possibilities

Leslie R. Nelson

Global South Perspectives of Family Communication: Beyond Eurocentrism

Debalina Dutta

Indigenous Perspectives in Family Communication Studies: Alternative Understandings for Ways of Being and Communicating in Families

Tamara D. Afifi, Walid A. Afifi, Amnee Elkhalid, and Monet Tchamdjoci

Latina/o/x Perspectives: Historical Contexts and Future Directions

Leandra H. Hernandez 

Quantitative Criticalism: Using Statistical Methods to Expose Systemic Inequalities 

Shardé Davis

Biography

Elizabeth A. Suter is Professor and Director of undergraduate studies in the department of communication studies at the University of Denver, USA.

Kory Floyd is Professor and Chair of human development at Washington State University, USA.

Elizabeth A. Hintz is Assistant Professor of communication at the University of Connecticut, USA.

Dawn O. Braithwaite is Willa Cather Professor Emerita of communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA.

“Engaging Theories in Family Communication: Multiple Perspectives (3rd ed.) contains comprehensive and insightful chapters covering theoretical perspectives on family communication research in a way that is accessible and applicable. This edition includes well-established theories and emerging conceptual and theoretical perspectives that are inclusive of a wide range of family types and experiences. It is an ideal resource for students studying family communication and for scholars seeking a primer in the field.”

Pamela J. Lannutti, Widener University, USA

“Covering consequential theories across the metatheoretical spectrum, this book provides an approachable and engaging overview of the diverse intellectual landscape of family communication. These chapters offer clear introductions to classic and new theories, serving as a valuable resource for new students and seasoned scholars alike.”

Andrew Ledbetter, Texas Christian University, USA

“This text provides a comprehensive overview of central theories of family communication while introducing essential viewpoints and paradigmatic traditions. Required reading for students who are interested in learning more about the field!”

Mackensie Minniear, University of Georgia, USA