Sourcebook of Family Theories and Methodologies

This sourcebook is an unparalleled resource in the field of family science. It provides a comprehensive overview of both traditional and contemporary theories and methodologies to promote a greater understanding of increasingly complex family realities. It focuses on broad developments in research design and conceptualization, while also offering a historical perspective on developments in family science over time, particularly emerging theories from the past several decades. Each chapter summarizes and evaluates a major theory or methodological approach in the field, delving into its main principles; its debates and challenges; how it has evolved over time; its practical uses in policy, education, or further research; and links to other theories and methodologies. In highlighting recent research of note, chapters emphasize the potential for innovative future applications. Key areas of coverage include: Risk and resilience, family stress, feminist,critical race, and social exchange theories. Ambiguous loss, intersectionality, Queer, and family development theory. Life course framework. Biosocial theory and biomarker methods. Symbolic interactionism. Ethnography. Mixed methods, participatory action research, and evaluation.