A Death in the Family

Many of us have experienced the death of a close
family member--all of us know someone who has. What
happens to the family communication afterward? Dr.
Rebecca Hosmer, a specialist in the field of family
communication, presents her findings from a wide-
ranging survey of people who have lost family
members. In this book, sisters, brothers, mothers,
fathers, and children share about losing a loved one.
Some families do not discuss the person who died: It s changed totally since the death of my brother,
we never mention stories about him, or stories that
involve him... (a 21-year-old male, brother died 4
years ago). Other families react quite differently: My dad has become more outgoing in his
relationships with his daughters. I Love You is
part of his everyday language now... (53-year-old
female, mother died 17 years ago). Hosmer examines
the themes that emerged and reveals the variety of
family communication patterns that develop, both
within and outside the family, after losing a loved
one. No two families are alike, and understanding the
multiple ways that families communicatively cope
after the death of a family member is critical.

Autorentext

Rebecca Hosmer, PhD in Human Communication from University ofDenver and MA in Communication Studies and Conflict Mediationfrom University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, is an adjunct lecturerat University of Denver and a freelance editor for AntiochUniversity. Her work is focused in the area of loss and familycommunication.

Klappentext

Many of us have experienced the death of a closefamily member--all of us know someone who has. Whathappens to the family communication afterward? Dr.Rebecca Hosmer, a specialist in the field of familycommunication, presents her findings from a wide-ranging survey of people who have lost familymembers. In this book, sisters, brothers, mothers,fathers, and children share about losing a loved one.Some families do not discuss the person who died:"It's changed totally since the death of my brother,we never mention stories about him, or stories thatinvolve him..." (a 21-year-old male, brother died 4years ago). Other families react quite differently:"My dad has become more outgoing in hisrelationships with his daughters. 'I Love You' ispart of his everyday language now..." (53-year-oldfemale, mother died 17 years ago). Hosmer examinesthe themes that emerged and reveals the variety offamily communication patterns that develop, bothwithin and outside the family, after losing a lovedone. No two families are alike, and understanding themultiple ways that families communicatively copeafter the death of a family member is critical.