The Dark Side of Close Relationships II sheds light on the paradoxical, dialectical, and mystifying facets of human interaction, not merely to elucidate dysfunctional relationship phenomena, but to help readers explore and understand it in relation to a broader understanding about relationships. A unique and provocative collection, this volume will appeal to relationship researchers in communication, social psychology, family studies, and sociology.

William R. Cupach received his Ph.D. in Communication Arts & Sciences from the University of Southern California. Currently he is Professor of Communication at Illinois State University. In addition to numerous monographs and journal articles, he has co-authored or co-edited twelve books. He previously served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships and is a past President of the International Association for Relationship Research.

Brian H. Spitzberg received his Ph.D. in Communication Arts & Sciences from the University of Southern California. He is now a Professor in the School of Communication at San Diego State University. He has conducted extensive research on topics related to interpersonal communication skills and competence. He has published numerous scholarly articles and chapters, as well as co-authoring or co-editing the previous four editions related to the dark side, and two books on interpersonal competence.

Selected Contents: 1. Overview of the Dark Side of Relationships Research 2. May-December Paradoxes: An Exploration of Age-Gap Relationships in Western Society 3. Fairytales and Tragedies: Narratively Making Sense of the Dark Side (and the Dark Side of Making Sense) of Personal Relationships 4. Dark Sides of Computer-Mediated Communication 5. Internet Matching Services: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Disguised as Attractive) 6. Affectionate Communication is Good, Except When it isn't: On the Dark Side of Expressing Affection 7. Infidelity: When, Where, Why 8. Relational Turbulence: What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger 9. In-Laws or Outlaws: The Dark and the Bright in In-Law Relationships 10. Dark Clouds with Silver Linings: The (Dys)Functional Ambivalence of Stepfamily 11. Relationships 12. Women's Relationships with Incarcerated Men 13. The Meaning of Girls' Social Aggression: Nasty or Mastery? 14. Intimate Partner Violence and Aggression: Seeing the Light in a Dark Place 15. Narcissism and Relationships: From Light to Dark 16. Living Single: Lightening Up those Dark, Dopey Myths