We often turn to our friends, family, spouses, and partners for help in coping with daily stress or major crises. Daena Goldsmith provides a communication-based approach for understanding why some conversations about problems are more helpful than others. In contrast to other research on the social support processes, Goldsmith focuses on interpersonal communication--what people say and how they say it, as well as their reactions to the conversations. Her studies cover adults of all ages and various kinds of stresses, ranging from everyday hassles to serious illnesses and other major crises.

The study of close relationships is both a central topic in social psychology, and also one of the most dynamic and exciting. Each chapter in this reader is written by scholars in the area of relationships. Together, they reflect the diversity of the field in this work.

This book draws together a wide range of new developments in the study of marital interaction, or how couples communicate with one another in positive and negative situations. Many of the chapters contain new information and insights into how couples can best be helped to deal with issues. This study is of importance to those who study couple interaction, or work with couples to help resolve differences and improve communication.