In the book ordinary people, how does Conrads communication style affect the plot?

Before the accident Con was similar to his mother Beth in that they had a tendency to keep their emotions in check, at least in regards to each other. After the boating accident that killed Buck and then Con's suicide attempt Beth's relationship with her youngest son was strained. Con tried to kill himself because he wasn't able to communicate the pain and guilt over his brother's death any other way. After leaving the hospital and coming home Con attempted to communicate better with his mother but Beth was unable to respond in kind, having still retained that tendency to be cool and remote unlike Con who was trying to be more communicative and demonstrative. All this was too much for Beth to handle or deal with and she ultimately left her family.