Routledge Handbook of Supportive Communication

Meara H. Faw (Ph.D., University of Washington) is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Colorado State University. Her research explores the intersections of interpersonal communication and health, with particular interests in social support, dementia caregiving, and conflict management. Joshua R. Pederson (Ph.D., University of Iowa) is an Associate Professor in Communication Studies at the University of Alabama. He studies how people navigate challenging experiences by drawing on their close relationships for support and how those processes can promote resilience, well-being, and relational strength. Amanda J. Holmstrom (Ph.D., Purdue University) is a Professor in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on relationships between supportive interactions and well-being across a wide variety of contexts. Andrew C. High (Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University) is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University. His research explores the intersections between supportive communication and computer-mediated communication, including how people seek, provide, and process supportive messages along with what factors related to technology shape those processes.

• PART I: CONCEPTUALIZING PROCESSES AND OUTCOMES OF SOCIAL SUPPORT 1 Outlining the Landscape of Supportive Communication Scholarship 2. Emotional Support 3. Esteem Support 4. Advice & Informational Support 5. Social Support & Well-being 6. Social Support & Relational Outcomes 7. Supportive Listening & Nonverbal Support PART II: THEORIES AND EMERGING FRAMEWORKS OF SUPPORTIVE COMMUNICATION 8. Historical Landscape of Support Theory 9. Social Support & Normative Rhetorical Theory 10. Strong Black Women Collective Theory 11. Dual Process Models of Supportive Communication 12. Support Gaps 13. Seeking Support & Support Marshaling 14. Social Support & Mindfulness PART III: METHODOLOGY & MEASUREMENT IN SOCIAL SUPPORT 15. Coding Supportive Messages 16. A Dynamic Dyadic Systems Perspective on Supportive Conversation 17. Applied Approaches to Supportive Communication Research 18. Longitudinal Approaches to the Study of Social Support 19. Self-Report Measurement in Social Support Research 20. Social Support & Physiology PART IV: CONTEXTS OF SUPPORTIVE COMMUNICATION 21. Social Support & Culture 22. Identity & Intersectionality in Supportive Communication 23. International Perspectives on Social Support 24. Social Support in Families 25. Social Support & Informal Caregiving 26. Social Support in Healthcare 27. Social Support in Formal Relationships PART V: DILEMMAS IN SUPPORTIVE COMMUNICATION 28. Social Support & Stigma 29. Communal Coping 30. Nonsupport & Mixed Messages 31. Challenges in Support Provision 32. Supportive Attempts that Fail PART VI: SOCIAL SUPPORT IN MEDIATED CONTEXTS 33. Social Support in Online Support Groups 34. Social Support & Social Media 35. Social Support Processes in Mediated Environments 36. Emerging Technology and Social Support PART VII: EPILOGUE & CONCLUSION 37. Epilogue & Conclusion

This is an excellent, up-to-date resource that thoroughly covers the major theories, studies and findings on supportive communication to date. The Communication scholars who authored chapters are actively studying this essential area and offer a review of the state of the field, critiques and recommendations for future research. It is a must read for emerging scholars.Anita P. Barbee, Professor and Distinguished University Scholar, University of Louisville, Past President of the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR)This groundbreaking book is a must for scholars who study interpersonal relationships and for therapists who strive to mend them. The book brings together cutting-edge research from communication science and other fields to grapple with important questions about how and why social support communication succeeds or fails.Carolyn Cutrona, Iowa State University and Author of Social Support in Couples; Marriage as a Resource in Times of StressAn insightful and comprehensive handbook exploring how supportive communication shapes relationships, resilience, and well-being, this volume blends theory with practical guidance in the design of interactional and longitudinal studies to examine how supportive communication functions in a variety of contexts.Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, University of South CarolinaSocial support is essential for physical and mental health across the lifespan. This book brings together the most cutting-edge scholarship on how social support gets communicated, and it will surely be a canonical text in the study of support and its benefits.Kory Floyd, Washington State UniversityThis impressive volume advances a core area of communication research and pedagogy. Seasoned researchers, as well as readers new to the supportive communication literature, will greatly benefit from the Handbook’s insightful reviews that not only highlight foundational scholarship, but also sharpen focus on future research needs and opportunities for practical application.Andy J. Merolla, University of California, Santa BarbaraFinally, a comprehensive volume capturing the full breadth and depth of supportive communication research. The Routledge Handbook of Supportive Communication masterfully guides readers through theories, methods, and diverse contexts. An exceptional, must-have resource for teachers, students, and practitioners. I cannot wait to introduce it to my courses!Kelly Rossetto, Boise State UniversityThis handbook offers a much-needed synthesis of the vast literature on supportive communication. The volume is exceptionally comprehensive, covering important foundations in the field, while also advancing visionary directions for future theorizing. This volume will undoubtedly serve as the definitive resource for scholars studying supportive communication.Jennifer Theiss, Rutgers UniversityThe Routledge Handbook of Supportive Communication offers a comprehensive, communication‑centered synthesis of the literature on social support. Bringing theory, research, and application together, it will shape future scholarship and serve as an indispensable resource for students, researchers, and clinicians who are interested in support processes.Anita L. Vangelisti, The University of Texas at Austin