Communication scholars increasingly recognize the influence life stages have on communication. This book presents concepts from a unique life span orientation so that readers can gain a better understanding of the impact the life span has on interpersonal communication and relationships.

The authors include an abundance of current theory and research and also incorporate scholarship from psychology and sociology. Section Two is organized around four specific life stages: early to middle childhood--addresses topics such as emotional and conflict competence; adolescence to young adulthood--examines identity, self-disclosure, how relationships form, and relationships outside the family; adulthood to middle-adulthood--covers marital and family communication, and gender issues; elderly--looks at multi-generational issues, grandparenting, communication challenges for the elderly, and romance and intimacy for the elderly.