Sacred Matters explores the multi-disciplinary literature about the role of religion in family life and provides new research and a new theory about ways various aspects of the sacred are helpful and harmful. The authors hope that their new conceptual framework will stimulate new research and encourage the creation of new intervention programs designed to help families. Sacred Matters features: a new conceptual framework and theory about how, when, and why sacred matters influence family processes and outcomes new qualitative and quantitative research collected in a variety of ways from people with different religious perspectives in different geographical areas an expansion in theory and research about the role of forgiveness, sacrifice, prayer, and sanctification in family life the integration of studies and issues from psychology, sociology, family studies, anthropology, and religion. This book raises the bar in creating new theories about family processes and in the integration of theory, research, and application. It begins with a review of the previous literature and then expands the research about sanctification to create a new general theory (or model) about ways sacred processes help and hinder families. Next the authors expand the theory and research about the role of forgiveness, sacrifice, and prayer in families. New theory and research are then added about loving, coping with conflict, dealing with undesirable behavior, generational relationships, morality, and the psychosocial aspects of religion. The authors then describe ways sacred theory can be integrated with other theories and ways it provides new explanations about broader social problems. The book concludes with new quantitative research and suggestions for future research. Researchers, practitioners, and advanced students in several disciplines will find this volume valuable. It will expand and enrich the reading in graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in areas such as family studies, human development, marriage and family therapy, the psychology of the family and the psychology of religion, the sociology of the family and the sociology of religion, pastoral counseling, anthropology, and social work.

Sacred Matters explores the multi-disciplinary literature about the role of religion in family life and provides new research and a new theory about ways various aspects of the sacred are helpful and harmful. The authors hope that their new conceptual framework will stimulate new research and encourage the creation of new intervention programs designed to help families. Sacred Matters features: a new conceptual framework and theory about how, when, and why sacred matters influence family processes and outcomes new qualitative and quantitative research collected in a variety of ways from people with different religious perspectives in different geographical areas an expansion in theory and research about the role of forgiveness, sacrifice, prayer, and sanctification in family life the integration of studies and issues from psychology, sociology, family studies, anthropology, and religion. This book raises the bar in creating new theories about family processes and in the integration of theory, research, and application. It begins with a review of the previous literature and then expands the research about sanctification to create a new general theory (or model) about ways sacred processes help and hinder families. Next the authors expand the theory and research about the role of forgiveness, sacrifice, and prayer in families. New theory and research are then added about loving, coping with conflict, dealing with undesirable behavior, generational relationships, morality, and the psychosocial aspects of religion. The authors then describe ways sacred theory can be integrated with other theories and ways it provides new explanations about broader social problems. The book concludes with new quantitative research and suggestions for future research. Researchers, practitioners, and advanced students in several disciplines will find this volume valuable. It will expand and enrich the reading in graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in areas such as family studies, human development, marriage and family therapy, the psychology of the family and the psychology of religion, the sociology of the family and the sociology of religion, pastoral counseling, anthropology, and social work.

The study of family stress has been dominated by the ABC-X model developed over several decades by Rueben Hill and other researchers. Now, the distinguished authors of this volume, along with a group of their colleagues and students, reexamine the theoretical literature in search of a better way of understanding stress and its management in families. They liberate their inquiry by setting aside traditional positivist notions in favor of a systematic paradigm--one that allows them to view stress as a multifaceted phenomenon with multiple causes and coping strategies. Then, using a series of qualitative and quantitative studies of different families in stress, they outline the various patterns of family responses to stress, the elements of the family system impacted by stressful events, and the helpfulness and harmfulness of management strategies in different families. The research and theory found in Reexamining Family Stress--and its implications for practitioners--is an important step forward in our understanding and dealing with families experiencing stress. "In Reexamining Family Stress, authors Wesley R. Burr, Shirly R. Klein, and associates present a systemic model of family stress that moves sharply away from the popular, positivist ABC-X models. Within this presentation, the authors include a comprehensive discussion of the theory upon which they build their model and of the outcome research they completed to answer the unique questions that emerged in the model's development." --Journal of Family Therapy "In Reexamining Family Stress, Wesley R. Burr, Shirley R. Klein, and associates offer the field a fresh perspective to family stress theory. Their book builds on the earlier theory building efforts by Robert Burr, using a systemic approach, and tests this refined theoretical approach with an empirical study. . . . The book makes a unique contribution to the family stress field." --Journal of Marriage and the Family "Highly recommended to professionals and students in the fields of health promotion, social work, and family and mental health in all settings (work, religious, community, provider, etc.). With a growing concern about the health of the family amidst the sea of potential family and societal stressors, this book offers many excellent insights and perspectives, and well-documented recommendations on some of the most effective coping strategies. Many of these strategies can be developed, nurtured, and strengthened throughout life allowing all members of the family to be better prepared when family (or life) stressors are encountered. Even if stressors are minimal, many of these same strategies are good for building strong, thriving families and individuals. This is a book well worth the reading!" --American Journal of Health Promotion