Communication and Relationship Maintenance

Communication and Relationship Maintenance provides readers with a comprehensive, dynamic examination of relationship maintenance across a variety of relational contexts. Informed by contemporary research and literature in communication, psychology, and sociology, this text introduces the study of relationship maintenance, highlights current issues and debates, and provides insight as to the future of the discipline.

Each chapter focuses on a particular relationship type and emphasizes a concept that influences its maintenance. For each relationship, authors Marianne Dainton and Scott A. Myers explore critical theories used to understand the maintenance process for the relationship and illuminate its unique features, the maintenance behaviors typically applied in the relationship, and the significant influences on the use of maintenance activities for that particular type.

Relational contexts covered include opposite-sex romantic relationships, same-sex romantic relationships, friendships, family relationships, and workplace relationships. Additional chapters examine cultural variations on the maintenance process, the role of mediated communication on relationship maintenance, and the future of scholarly study within the discipline.

Communication and Relationship Maintenance is well suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate and courses in relational and interpersonal communication.

Marianne Dainton (Ph.D., The Ohio State University) is a professor of communication at La Salle University, where she teaches courses in interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and communication theory. Dr. Dainton is the author/coauthor of Maintaining Relationships through Communication, Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life, and Maintaining Black Marriage.

Scott A. Myers (Ph.D., Kent State University) is a professor and the Peggy Rardin McConnell Endowed Teaching Chair of Communication Studies at West Virginia University, where he teaches courses in instructional communication, organizational communication, and communication pedagogy. Dr. Myers is the coauthor of The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication and The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging.