Newswise — Washington, DC (December 17, 2012)— The holidays are here and families are gathering together to spend quality time with each other. Families are often diverse and can include in-laws, step relatives, relatives who are of a different ethnicity or religion, and unresolved sibling tensions. Trying to successfully interact with a diverse mix of family members can add stress to the holiday season.
Members of The National Communication Association who study various forms of family communication can provide insight into the following:
•What are some helpful tips for effective communication with in-laws?•What unique communication challenges are often faced by stepfamilies and what can be done to help alleviate those challenges?•How can grandparents and grandchildren bridge the generation gap to communicate effectively?
WHO: Carrie Prentice, Ph.D.Department of Communication Studies, University of South DakotaShe studies small group communication and family communication, specifically communicating with in-laws.
Paul Schrodt, Ph.D.College of Communication, Texas Christian UniversityHis research investigates communication behaviors that help stepfamilies function and alleviate feelings of conflict among stepfamily members. His research also examines how best to improve co-parenting relationships in stepfamilies.
Jordan Soliz Ph.D.Department of Communication Studies, University of Nebraska, LincolnHe studies communication processes in multi-ethnic and interfaith families, and communication between grandparents and grandchildren. CONTACT:To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Arlyn G. Riskind at [email protected] or 202-534-1104.
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About National Communication AssociationThe National Communication Association (NCA) advances communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry. The NCA serves the scholars, teachers, and practitioners who are its members by enabling and supporting their professional interests in research and teaching. Dedicated to fostering and promoting free and ethical communication, the NCA promotes the widespread appreciation of the importance of communication in public and private life, the application of competent communication to improve the quality of human life and relationships, and the use of knowledge about communication to solve human problems.
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