Family Violence from a Communication Perspective

Going beyond the traditional psychological and sociological approaches, this ground-breaking volume presents a new theoretical framework for understanding and resolving abusive family interactions: it takes a communication perspective to examine the interactional processes at the core of domestic abuse, aggression and violence.

Covering spouse, child, elderly parent and courtship abuse, the contributors explore both commonalities and differences in emotional, psychological, verbal and sexual abuse. They illustrate how these different types of abuse stem from problematic communication patterns integral to the power imbalance inherent in abusive relationships. The contributors also suggest ways of modifying these patterns.

Although an anecdotal association between communication and family violence was noted early in the family violence literature, a communication approach to family violence has been underrepresented in the literature. This book is a welcome contribution to the literature because it demonstrates that the connection between communication and family violence is much more complex than a skills deficit of one or more members of a violent relationship. --Gail Whitchurch, Department of Communication Studies, Indiana University Adding an innovative perspective to traditional psychological and sociological approaches, Family Violence from a Communication Perspective lays out a new theoretical framework for understanding and resolving abusive family interactions. This exceptional volume features contributions from a variety of disciplines that examine the interactional processes at the core of domestic abuse, aggression, and violence. The contributors explore the development of violence in the family, beginning with courtship violence, proceeding through marital violence, and perpetuated through parent-child violence. Providing keen insight, the chapters examine the commonalities and differences inherent in emotional, psychological, verbal, and sexual abuse and how they all stem from basic communication problems. An essential resource for students and scholars in communication, family studies, relationship studies, psychology, sociology, and women′s studies, Family Violence from a Communication Perspective also offers a refreshing viewpoint for professionals in the human services.