Introduction to Family Processes

Introduction to Family Processes: Diverse Families, Common Ties serves to provide an explanation of the complex workings of inner family life. The text primarily focuses on family processes and dynamics (the "inside" of families) as opposed to sociological trends, political topics, or the individual psychological approach. The text further presents the research underlying these processes and effectively presents ways to increase the positive aspects of family life. This edition has been updated to include current research and contemporary topics. The text has been divided into four parts: Foundations, Building and Establishing Families, Maintaining Families, and Change/Turbulence/Gains/Losses. While the research methods chapter still provides an introductory examination of family science research, it now includes an expanded discussion on research design, methods, and advances in the area. A new chapter, titled "Forgiveness, Kindness, Hope, and Gratitude" has been incorporated to amplify positive family processes and highlight emerging research. This edition provides added emphasis on diverse families (e.g., race/ethnicity, family structure, LGBTQIA, ability, culture, and family formation), and each chapter includes a new "Discussions in Diversity" section related to that chapter. The authors have consciously included an epilogue as a way of reflecting on what they have learned, along with what they hope to learn in the future. Aimed at courses related to family studies and family dynamics, this text provides a comprehensive review of family processes. Whether it is used for undergraduate or graduate classes, professional growth, or personal enrichment, the text assists readers in enhancing the positive aspects of family life, avoiding undesirable aspects, and more effectively managing the challenges and obstacles families face that cannot be avoided. Thus, the text holds an appeal for people who live (or will live) in families, as well as those who want to work with families.

Denise Ann Bodman, PhD, has taught family and human development courses at Arizona State University's T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics for over 30 years, garnering numerous teaching and service awards. Her writings (both popular and scientific) and research have focused on cross-cultural parenting and family relationships. Bethany Bustamante Van Vleet, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer at Arizona State University in the School of Social and Family Dynamics. Her passion lies in engaging students while teaching them about family and human development, measurement, and statistics. With a husband and six kids, Family Processes is more than just a textbook to Bethany. Before his passing, Randal D. Day, PhD, was a popular teacher, mentor, researcher, and scholar. He published more than 100 research articles, books, and government documents focusing on family processes, men in families, and social science research.

Part I. Foundations. 1. "Family" and Family Processes. 2. Theories About Family Life. 3. How We Study Family. 4. Generations: Graphing Family Processes. Part II: Building and Establishing Families. 5. Coming Together. 6. Family Ideologies and Paradigms: The Core of Family Life. 7. Family Rituals and Routines: Windows of Family Identity. Part III: Maintaining Families - Ties that Bind. 8. Rules and Rule Sequences. 9. Communicating in Families. 10. Regulating Distance. 11. Forgiveness, Kindness, Hope, and Gratitude. Part IV: Change, Turbulence, Gains, and Losses. 12. Families as Units of Change and Transition. 13. Family Stress and Resilience. 14. Epilogue.