Building Positive Communication
The Issue:
The needs of individuals and families are diverse and complex. Human behavior
is unpredictable and so maintaining healthy and stable relationships is often
a challenge. Yet, most individuals strive to attain a significant partner relationship
based on mutual love and respect, and want closeness (tranquility and reciprocity)
with family members and friends. Positive communication and managing conflict
are learned behaviors and through preventative education individuals can learn
to be responsible for their own behavior and response to their environment.
The Response:
Extension has many programs to teach individuals and families positive communication
skills which build self-esteem and confidence in whatever role the individual
holds, for example, husband, partner, father, son, brother, or wife, mother,
daughter, sister, worker, colleaque, or friend. Research-based information helps
individuals and families make informed decisions to prevent and reduce human
problems such as divorce, domestic violence, child neglect or abuse.
Coalitions and Partners:
Work is conducted with collaborators, such as agencies and organizations, and
other UNL faculty to prioritize needs for the development of educational materials
and curriculum in family life education issues.
Impact and Results:
Extension programs reach thousands of individuals through many delivery methods
so individuals have a choice in how they receive information. Internet classes
(non-credit) allow interaction with a specialist in couple relationships and
the prevention of domestic violence; curriculum provide in-depth reading materials
in care giving, stress management, and fathering. NebGuides are two to four pages and
provide information on specific topics such as parenting, couple conflict, and
balancing work and family. Extension classes, family nights, newsletters, websites,
satellite conferences, media outreach, and consultations are used throughout
Nebraska to meet individual and program needs.
Links:
See UNL website for up-to-date information on families http://unlforfamilies.unl.edu;
family strengths updates http://www.panhandle.unl.edu/Family_Strengths/familystrengths.htm;
Internet course for couple enrichment (CoupleTalk) and http://www.panhandle.unl.edu/bosch/ if parenting while living with an abusive partner (Parenting In A Difficult
Situation).
Faculty Contact Information:
Kathy Bosch, Ph.D.
4502 Ave I
Panhandle Research Center
Scottsbluff NE 69361-4939
(308) 632-1244
kbosch2@unl.edu
