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.

Family Conflict takes a life course approach as it providesan accessible discussion of family conflict issues, processes, andoutcomes. Chapters draw on recent theory and researchregarding sub-systems and stages in family life to give readersresource-rich overviews of conflict in contemporary families.After the initial chapter presents the landscape of family conflicttheory and research, chapters focus on conflict in couplerelationships, parent-child relationships, sibling relationshipsand in stepfamilies. The book concludes with a discussion ofhow specific work, health, and disability challenges facingtoday's families influence, and are influenced by, conflictinteractions.Family Conflict will be essential reading for students offamily communication, family researchers, professionals who workwith families in various stages of life, and anyone who desires adeeper understanding of their own family conflict processes.

Detailed Contents viiiTables and Figures xPreface xi1 Introduction to Family Conflict 12 Marital Conflict 223 Interparental Conflict, Post-Divorce, and Stepfamilies 524 Conflict between Parents and Children 825 Siblings in Conflict 1136 Conflict in the Face of Family Challenges: Work-Family Interface, Health & Disability, and Family Resilience 141Appendices 166References 175Index 197