Perhaps the most obvious feature of the relationship between siblings is its diversity. Sibling relationships differ from peer relationships because of their frequency and amount or interaction; the durability of the relationships; the existence of prescribed roles; accessibility; and the degree of common experience. Conflict between siblings in…

Examined sibling conflict and relationship qualities among 104 10-15 year olds. Data suggest that sibling conflict fulfills several functions in early adolescence, including reinforcing family and relationship rules and delineating interpersonal boundaries. Few differences attributable to age or gender constellation of sibling dyad emerged.…

Tested hypothesis, derived from serial model of social support, that adult siblings will provide more support to their seriously mentally ill siblings when parents are not available. Data from 108 siblings of mentally ill persons revealed that siblings provided more contact, intimacy, and help when their parents were not living. (Author/NB)

Observes sibling interaction over 10 weeks in a rural elementary school. Uses a grounded theory approach to research the nature of early sibling interaction outside the home. Analyzes interaction transcriptions. Finds overall image of sibling interaction that emerges is markedly positive; although finds some support for the contention that…

This study examined the nature and correlates of different patterns of perceived control in adolescents' relationships with their best friends. Participants included firstborn adolescents (M = 14.94 years), their younger siblings (M = 12.44 years) and both their mothers and fathers in 163 families as well as a best friend of each adolescent (M =…

Until the early 1980s, most researchers paid little attention to sibling relationships. Studies of mothers dominated the research agenda, to the almost total exclusion of fathers, extended families, and siblings. Although in early classic studies of families of children with disabilities, investigators embraced a family systems approach that…

This study investigates the effect of childbearing on parental involvement in stepfamilies and intact families, based on the reports of 1,905 stepparents and biological parents from the National Survey of Families and Households. Regression analysis indicates that involvement with children declines over time, especially among respondents with only…

This study surveyed 25 siblings of persons with Down Syndrome to gain an ecological perspective about important communication competence indicators. Siblings favorably described persons with Down Syndrome as "effective" and "good" communicators who "communicate to potential." Siblings regarded social communication skills as especially important,…

This paper focuses on the aspects of a qualitative research project that examines an assessment protocol for the placement of siblings in foster care and/or future adoption. A brief description of the background to the study and the research design is given. Evaluating the material from the quantitative instruments used and the psychotherapeutic…

Background: Relationships within families are interdependent and related to distal environmental factors. Low socioeconomic status (SES) and high household chaos (distal factors) have been linked to less positive marital and parent-child relationships, but have not yet been examined with regard to young children's sibling relationships. The…

Fifteen parents and two grandparents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) were interviewed to discover common themes regarding specific ways in which they devised positive adaptations to their everyday routines to accommodate the needs of their children with DD, how they decided upon the accommodations, and how much help they felt they…

This study examined dynamics of families with handicapped children by focusing on the emotional, intellectual, and behavioral manner in which the undiagnosed siblings experience the diagnosis and existence of a brother's or sister's handicap within the context of their families. Subjects were 8 socioeconomically middle class families consisting of…

Examined impact of parental intervention on the quality of conflict behavior in 2- and 4-year olds. Found that parents intervened in fights in which children displayed few de-escalating strategies. Intervention was associated with children using fewer power strategies coupled with an increase in more sophisticated negotiation moves. Results…

Interviews with 24 children aged 9 to 13 about life with their younger siblings who had severe handicaps revealed a consistently high level of involvement and strong feelings of responsibility. While the children recognized the hardships engendered by their sibling's disability, they emphasized positive aspects of family life. (Author/JDD)

Examined the relationship between sibling caregiving and social cognitive knowledge. For each of 55 sibling dyads, the frequency of preschoolers' caregiving acts and the number of seconds the younger siblings were distressed were recorded. Although emotional role taking, knowledge of caregiving scripts, and toddler distress were positively related…