Positive Communication in Health and Wellness

Defining and describing positive communication from an interdisciplinary perspective, Pitts (communication, University of Arizona) and Socha (communication, Old Dominion University) explore how positive communication can be nourished in various settings. They draw heavily on Seligman's well-being theory, Peterson and Seligman's character strengths and virtues, and Seligman's three pillars of positive psychology: positive emotion, positive traits, and positive institutions. The book begins with an overview of key ideas. Subsequent sections address the role of positive communication in three settings: healthcare, interpersonal relationships, and organizations and institutions such as schools, workplaces, prisons, nursing homes, and organizations under crisis. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Margaret J. Pitts (PhD in communication, Penn State) is Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Arizona. She researches interpersonal communication patterns and processes during lifespan transitions such as ageing, end-of-life communication, and health/wellness decision-making. She has published in Health Communication, Journal of Applied Communication Research, and Journal of Language and Social Psychology.
Thomas J. Socha (PhD in communication, University of Iowa) is ODU University Professor of Communication at the Old Dominion University. He publishes extensively on communication and children, families, groups, and positive communication, and has coedited or coauthored 5 books. He was founding editor of the Journal of Family Communication, a recipient of a national research award, numerous teaching awards, and a national advising award.