Next to an introduction to the field and functions of family psychology this edition has been updated and expanded in the areas of indicators and effects of the changing way of family life; theoretical approaches to family and its appliance to questions of psychological research and practice; - process and results of education and socialisation in families; procedure of family diagnostics and evaluation, as well as analysis of family data; intervention in families (prevention, consulting and therapy) to strengthen family relations and to solve problems.

Prof. Schneewind was full professor for personality psychology, psychological diagnostics and family psychology and currently teaches as emeritus at the university of Munich.