Includes index.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

An introduction to communication in family contexts -- Research paradigms and methods that inform family communication and research -- Theories of family communication. Affection exchange theory ; Communication privacy management theory ; Family communication patterns theory ; Family systems theory ; Narrative theories ; Social cognitive theory ; Relational dialectics theory -- Family communication processes. Foundational processes. Caregiving in families ; Conflict and forgiveness ; Coping and resilience in families ; Difficult family conversations ; Discourse dependence ; Family distancing ; Information management and disclosure in families ; Supportive communication in families ; Uncertainty management -- Major family transitions. Cohabitation and marriage ; Delaying, forgoing, and transitioning to parenthood ; Divorce and dissolution ; Remarriage and stepfamily formation -- Communicating in family relationships. Family and relationship types. Communication and adoptive families ; In-law relationships ; Intergenerational relationships ; LGBTQ families ; Parent-child relationships ; Partner relationships ; Sibling relationships ; Voluntary kin families -- Family communication in context. Family communication in health contexts ; Family communication in organizational contexts ; Family communication in technological contexts.