Handbook of Research on Communication Strategies for Taboo Topics

Many of our social problems are a result of our societal refusal to talk about difficult topics. This book includes both quantitative and qualitative research to provide empirical evidence of these negative social and health outcomes and to provide communication and coping strategies for dealing with difficult topics.
Social norms are valuable because they help us to understand guidelines for appropriate and ethical behavior. However, as part of that process, cultures develop taboo behaviors and topics for group members to avoid. Taboo can cover the broad range of topics that are prohibited or forbidden to be discussed due to social customs. Failure to discuss important topics, such as sex, drug use, or interpersonal violence, can lead to unwanted or unintended negative outcomes. Improving communication about forbidden topics may lead to positive social and health outcomes, but we must first develop the communication and coping skills to discuss these difficult conversations.

Anecdotally, we can easily see how taboo leads to negative physical and mental health outcomes in society. We have a litany of examples in the popular news cycle about students feeling ostracized due to bullying but not feeling like they can talk about it with their parents or school administrators, an increased rate of suicide and suicidal ideation among LGBT youths, and a deep social panic about teen pregnancy due to a lack of good information about safe sexual practices for teens and young adults. Many of our social problems are a result of our societal refusal to talk about difficult topics. This book includes both quantitative and qualitative research to provide empirical evidence of these negative social and health outcomes and to provide communication and coping strategies for dealings with difficult topics. Improving communication practices surrounding taboo is an urgent and life-saving matter. This book improves the field by providing a cogent and concise resource for the broad array of topics that fall under taboo, and will improve society by providing researchers evidence to be used in therapeutic outcomes.