Although sexuality is an integral part of close romantic relationships, research linking these two constructs has been less systematic than other areas pertaining to close relationships. To date, researchers in communication, sociology, family studies, psychology, and psychiatry, have made significant advances in both of these fields. The editors' goal is to integrate this research into one volume. They bring together major scholars from the diversity of fields working on close relationship topics to examine past contributions and new directions in sexuality. The emphasis is on theoretical integration and stimulation, methodological rigor, and critical analysis. This volume explores:
*early sexual experiences and their impact on late life sexuality;
*how life's stresses impact sexuality and satisfaction with closeness;
*the affect of postpartum depression on sexuality; and
*the relationship between control, power, anger, as well as revenge and sexual processes in couples.
"The Handbook of Sexuality in Close Relationships" is intended for students and researchers in the disciplines of social, clinical, developmental, and health psychology; family studies; counseling; and interpersonal, family, and health communication. An excellent reference in advanced courses in close relationships taught in psychology, communications, sociology, anthropology, and family studies, the material in Part V will also appeal to clinical psychologists, health professionals, and policymakers.

This is one of the first volumes to examine the interface between research undertaken in sexuality and that in close relationships from a social psychological perspective. Experts from several different disciplines offer chapters that contain theory, extant literature, and their own original research on such topics as jealousy, extradyadic sexuality, communication, love, and sexual coercion. Aimed at a fairly wide audience, this book will be of interest to students, faculty, and other professionals in social psychology, sociology, communication, and family and women's studies. It is also a valuable source of information for teachers, researchers, and clinicians working in the areas of human sexuality and/or close relationships.

This is one of the first volumes to examine the interface between research undertaken in sexuality and that in close relationships from a social psychological perspective. Experts from several different disciplines offer chapters that contain theory, extant literature, and their own original research on such topics as jealousy, extradyadic sexuality, communication, love, and sexual coercion. Aimed at a fairly wide audience, this book will be of interest to students, faculty, and other professionals in social psychology, sociology, communication, and family and women's studies. It is also a valuable source of information for teachers, researchers, and clinicians working in the areas of human sexuality and/or close relationships.

Although sexuality is an integral part of close romantic relationships, research linking these two constructs has been less systematic than other areas pertaining to close relationships. To date, researchers in communication, sociology, family studies, psychology, and psychiatry, have made significant advances in both of these fields. The editors' goal is to integrate this research into one volume. They bring together major scholars from the diversity of fields working on close relationship topics to examine past contributions and new directions in sexuality. The emphasis is on theoretical integration and stimulation, methodological rigor, and critical analysis. This volume explores: *early sexual experiences and their impact on late life sexuality; *how life's stresses impact sexuality and satisfaction with closeness; *the affect of postpartum depression on sexuality; and *the relationship between control, power, anger, as well as revenge and sexual processes in couples. The Handbook of Sexuality in Close Relationships is intended for students and researchers in the disciplines of social, clinical, developmental, and health psychology; family studies; counseling; and interpersonal, family, and health communication. An excellent reference in advanced courses in close relationships taught in psychology, communications, sociology, anthropology, and family studies, the material in Part V will also appeal to clinical psychologists, health professionals, and policymakers.

The Handbook of Relationship Initiation is the first volume to focus specifically on the very beginning stage of relationships their origin. In this Handbook, leading scholars on relationships review the literature on various processes related to the initiation of relationships: how people meet, communicate for the first time, and begin to define themselves as being in a relationship. Topics include attraction, mate selection, influence of social networks on relationship initiation, initiation over the internet, hook-ups among young adults, and flirting and opening gambits. In addition, the dark side of relationship initiation is considered, including unwanted relationship pursuit and barriers to relationship initiation including social anxiety.

This volume provides an overdue synthesis of the literature on this topic. It is especially timely in view of the growing prevalence on relationship initiation online, through matchmaking and other social networking sites, which has increased awareness that science can be used to understand, create, and facilitate compatible matching.

This Handbook provides an essential resource for an interdisciplinary range of researchers and students who study relationships, including social psychologists, communication scientists and scholars of marriage and the family.

The Handbook of Relationship Initiation is the first volume to focus specifically on the very beginning stage of relationships - their origin. In this Handbook, leading scholars on relationships review the literature on various processes related to the initiation of relationships: how people meet, communicate for the first time, and begin to define themselves as being in a relationship. Topics include attraction, mate selection, influence of social networks on relationship initiation, initiation over the internet, hook-ups among young adults, and flirting and opening gambits. In addition, the dark side of relationship initiation is considered, including unwanted relationship pursuit and barriers to relationship initiation including social anxiety. This volume provides an overdue synthesis of the literature on this topic. It is especially timely in view of the growing prevalence on relationship initiation online, through matchmaking and other social networking sites, which has increased awareness that science can be used to understand, create, and facilitate compatible matching. This Handbook provides an essential resource for an interdisciplinary range of researchers and students who study relationships, including social psychologists, communication scientists and scholars of marriage and the family.

Culling the vast literature on sexuality, this comprehensive volume offers a timely, readable, and multidisciplinary portrait of sexuality in close relationships. Sprecher and McKinney take an extensive look at current theory and research in sexually-based primary relationships, paying close attention to sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, sexual satisfaction, and sexual coercion. They discuss sexual patterns in several types of sexual relationships--dating, cohabitating, marital, and homosexual--and show how sexual aspects of these relationships are related to other characteristics, like love and communication. The authors also explore sexual standards, predictors of sexual attraction, sexual scripts, the initiation of sex, negotiating safe-sex behaviors, and which types of couples are most sexually satisfied--and why. "This volume is a rich source of information about ways that sexuality is interrelated to relationship phenomenon. It provides a valuable historical perspective on selected issues by reviewing older, significant pieces of research. At the same time, recent and important studies on current topics, are included; thus, the book is solidly based on research findings. In addition, a number of important methodological issues are presented in a clear understandable manner throughout the chapters. This makes the book ideal for instructors who want to emphasize to students that how research is conducted is an important influence on what we know about sexuality. Moreover, the tone and the high quality of the writing make it ideal for use in upper division undergraduate courses and graduate seminars, or for scholars who want to familiarize themselves with this area of investigation. Finally, the authors are to be complimented on their inclusion of different types of relationships." --Journal of Marriage and the Family

Comprises 18 chapters written from sociological and social psychological perspectives. Accessible to students and professionals. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.