Close Relationships

A Sourcebook

"The authors in the volume extend the reach of their comprehensive reviews into theoretically driven and innovating explorations. The scope of coverage across and within chapters is striking. The developmentalist, the methodologist, the feminist, the contextualist, and the cross culturalist alike will find satisfaction in reading the chapters."

-Catherine A. Surra, The University of Texas at Austin

The science of close relationships is relatively new and complex. Close Relationships: A Sourcebook represents the growing maturity of this multidisciplinary enterprise. The volume offers 26 chapters organized into four thematic areas: relationship methods, forms, processes, and threats, as well as a foreword and an epilogue. The volume provides a panoramic view of close relationship research as it enters the 21st century, offering highlights from current literature, original research, practical applications, and projections for future research. Relationship Methods includes both qualitative and quantitative chapters. Relationship Forms includes many of the stages, types, and roles that characterize intimate relationships. In a developmental fashion, chapters address social networks, children's friendships, adolescent relationships, adult friendships, and friendships in later life. Chapters on multicultural and multiracial relationships and gay, lesbian, and bisexual relationships illustrate the variety of relationship forms that the science of close relationships must consider. The alignments and realignments of traditional family structure are considered in terms of contemporary marriage, divorce and single parenting, and remarried families. Relationship Processes includes chapters on emotion, attachment, romantic love, sexuality, intimacy, communication, conflict, social support, and relational maintenance. The important topic of gender concludes the section. The shadow side of human nature is explored in the Relationship Threats section, with chapters on infidelity and jealousy, physical and sexual aggression, depression, and loss and bereavement. A foreword by Ellen Berscheid sets the stage for this broad-ranging collection of chapters. Steve Duck and Linda Acitelli conclude with an epilogue that provides a new beginning for the science of close relationships.