New Paths for Acceptance

Book excerpt: New Paths for Acceptance: Opening Awareness in Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection gathers global data from recent studies on interpersonal relationships. The book focuses specifically on the influence of perceived acceptance and rejection by significant others on children's, adolescents', and adults' well-being and development. In doing this, it offers valuable insight for academics, researchers, practitioners, teachers, and service agencies to better understand the importance of including the issue of "quality of interpersonal relationships" in their research, teaching, and clinical practice. Based primarily on interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory (IPARTheory), the book broadens and advances scientific knowledge about fundamental issues such as psychological adjustment, masculinity, school and academic-related issues, family functioning, parental alienation, intimate adult relationships, and other such topics. With contributions from researchers from three continents, the volume helps raise awareness about the crucial role that interpersonal acceptance plays across cultures on key issues such as these. The uncommon cultural diversity and multi-context nature of studies included in the book give readers the opportunity to learn about some of the most recent studies in this field, and at the same time to have a privileged view of the broad scope and application of IPARTheory and research.