Contemporary Issues in Close Relationships

Author: Tammy Lowery Zacchilli and Kevin M. Kieffer

Provides an interdisciplinary framework for exploring several types of close, intimate relationships, including friendships, family dynamics, and romantic partnerships. It emphasizes theoretical foundations and research pertinent to relational dynamics across the disciplines of psychology, human development, sociology, and communication.

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Contemporary Issues in Close Relationships provides readers with an interdisciplinary framework for exploring several types of close, intimate relationships, including friendships, family dynamics, and romantic partnerships. The content emphasizes theoretical foundations and research pertinent to relational dynamics across the disciplines of psychology, human development, sociology, and communication. The book features a focus on real-world stories and supplements these narratives with theoretical insights to provide a holistic understanding of the complex and nuanced dynamics of personal relationships. Themes range from initial attraction, relationship development, and relational maintenance to conflict, abuse, and dissolution processes like breakups and bereavement. Factors such as attachment, social support, relational sexuality, and the influence of race, class, and gender on relationships are examined. Specific issues like the effects of family challenges, diversity in family structures, and the psychological impact of relationships are also critically discussed. With its unique blend of narrative and evidence-based investigation, Contemporary Issues in Close Relationships is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, sociology, communications, and family studies.

About the Author

Tammy Lowery Zacchilli completed a B.S. in psychology from Kennesaw State University, an M.S. in experimental psychology from Augusta State University, a M.S. in instructional design from Saint Leo University, and a Ph.D. in experimental social psychology from Texas Tech University. She began teaching at Saint Leo University in August 2007. Her dissertation resulted in the development of the Romantic Partner Conflict Scale, which has been used in research projects in several countries. Her primary research interests include romantic conflict, love attitudes, relational sexuality, bullying, teaching of psychology, and social media use.

Kevin M. Kieffer received a B.S. degree in psychology from Indiana University, a M.S. degree in counseling psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Texas A&M University. He completed both a predoctoral internship and a postdoctoral residency in geropsychology and neuropsychology at the James A. Haley V.A. Medical Center in Tampa, Florida, and is a licensed counseling psychologist in the state of Florida. His research interests include an initial focus on methodology, research, and statistics followed by a more recent emphasis on relationship development, acquisition of listening skills, and communication patterns.