Communication scholars increasingly recognize the influence life stages have on communication. This book presents concepts from a unique life span orientation so that readers can gain a better understanding of the impact the life span has on interpersonal communication and relationships.
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The authors include an abundance of current theory and research and also incorporate scholarship from psychology and sociology. Section Two is organized around four specific life stages: early to middle childhood--addresses topics such as emotional and conflict competence; adolescence to young adulthood--examines identity, self-disclosure, how relationships form, and relationships outside the family; adulthood to middle-adulthood--covers marital and family communication, and gender issues; elderly--looks at multi-generational issues, grandparenting, communication challenges for the elderly, and romance and intimacy for the elderly.