Bøker i SAGE Series on Close Relationships-serien

Explores a topic which is relevant to everyone - friendship. This book discusses the research on the interplay between social structure, individual disposition and dynamic processes of friendship, and findings on both similarities and differences across adult lifecourse stages.

This sensitive yet practical book explores challenges to adult close relationships that result from long-term illness and disability. The authors focus on illness and: relationship change; interpersonal supports and stressors; and relationship-focused coping.

Gaining face, maintaining face and losing face all have numerous implications in the management of close relationships. This title focuses on self-presentational aspects of communication in intimate relationships - 'facework'.

Deals with gender and its possible effects on aims and behaviour in close relationships: dating, romantic and sexual partnerships, marriage and friendship. The authors warn their readers that they should bot be looking at why there are gender differences, but at whether, when and under what conditions.

Attachment theory is one of the most popular perspectives currently influencing research in close relationships - and is important in many other fields since the quality of intimate relationships is a key determinant of subjective well-being. This intriguing volume draws together diverse strands of attachment theory to give a coherent contemporary account.

Conflict is a natural and inevitable aspect of most close personal relationships - the crucial issue is not whether it exists, but the way it is managed. Skilfully portraying both developmental or healthy conflict, and destructive or unhealthy conflict, this volume leads to a better understanding of this vital aspect of relationships.

The authors draw on findings from their own research on sexual and romantic attraction, as well as on an extensive review of the relevant social, behavioural and medical literature.

This fascinating volume focuses on courtship, paying particular attention to the differences between relationship and courtship development and deterioration.The authors describe factors that affect the later course of marriage, trace historical roots of courtship, discuss models of courtship that have guided research in this area and examine circumstantial factors that discriminate between stable and unstable premarital relationships. They also explore the `dark side' of courtship - violence between dating partners - and reveal the processes involved in the dissolution phase of premarital relationships. The volume concludes with a look at the future of courtship as an institution and suggestions for further

A portrait of sexuality in close relationships that presents an examination of the theory and research. Drawing material from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, communication and family studies, it explores sexual standards, predictors of sexual attraction, the initiation of sex and negotiating safe-sex behaviours.

This broad-ranging volume examines how friends give meaning to our lives. Each phase of the friendship process is illustrated with empirical research. The result is a conceptual framework that illuminates the fascinating components involved in making friends, becoming close and keeping friends, and in friendships deteriorating and dissolving.

This book explores a central issue in the study of close relationships: the reevaluation of traditional gender roles to take into account what is both functional and optimal for people in dual-career relationships.The author discusses how many women and men are attempting to negotiate new realities at home and work, with each other and with the larger social structure. The expectations and realities of dual-career family life are examined, benefits of increased gender equity for both same-sex and heterosexual couples explored, and continuing obstacles and sources of stress identified.

The negative interactions that take place between dating and courting partners, most notably physical aggression and sexual exploitation, are explored in this volume. The authors blend qualitative interviews with current research findings.