Conflict Resolution Between Mexican Origin Adolescent Siblings

Abstract

We investigated correlates of adolescents' sibling conflict resolution strategies in 246, two-parent Mexican origin families. Specifically, we examined links between siblings' conflict resolution strategies and sibling dyad characteristics, siblings' cultural orientations and values, and sibling relationship qualities. Data were gathered during home interviews with adolescent siblings. Older siblings were more likely to use controlling strategies whereas younger siblings were more likely to use nonconfrontation strategies. Cultural orientations and familism values were positively linked to siblings' solution orientation. Solution orientation strategies were associated with sibling intimacy, and control strategies were related to sibling negativity. Discussion highlights the importance of considering the cultural context in which sibling relationships are embedded.

Guided cognitive reframing of adolescent-father conflict: Who Mexican American and European American adolescents seek and why

“…In this case, it appears that the internalization of the cultural value of placing the family above the individual is associated with a behavioral approach to managing conflict. The findings of Killoren et al (2008) & Thayer et al (2008) portray Mexican American adolescents as active in conflict resolution and seem to contradict the Schofield et al (2008) finding that Mexican American adolescents are less likely to use direct eye contact with their parents. Rather it is possible that expressions of conflict behavior may differ based on the adolescent’s relationship to the conflict partner (sibling versus parent), thus, having different cultural meanings and consequences for how conflict is resolved within families.…”

“…For instance, when Mexican American adolescents show a more familistic orientation they also tend to use more active and solution-oriented conflict strategies for conflict resolution, regardless of whether the conflict partner was a sibling (Killoren, Thayer, & Updegraff, 2008) or friend (Thayer, Updegraff, & Delgado, 2008). In this case, it appears that the internalization of the cultural value of placing the family above the individual is associated with a behavioral approach to managing conflict.…”

Sibling Experiences in Diverse Family Contexts

“…However, in a sample of Mexican American families, older siblings who embraced the cultural value of familism, which emphasizes support, interdependence, and loyalty among family members, were not more likely to have higher levels of depressive symptoms and risky behaviors when their parents regularly treated a younger sibling preferentially (McHale, Updegraff, Shanahan, Crouter, & Killoren, 2005). In the same sample, both older and younger siblings who reported high familism were more likely to report using solution‐oriented and nonconfrontational strategies to resolve sibling conflicts than were siblings reporting low familism (Killoren, Thayer, & Updegraff, 2008). Both strategies involve promoting harmony in relationships and may be in line with the collectivist values promoted in Mexican culture, whereas the controlling strategies typically found in studies of European American siblings may be more consistent with individualistic values found in U.S. culture (Killoren et al., 2008; see also Gabrielidis, Stephan, Ybarra, Dos Santos Pearson, & Villareal, 1997).…”

Sibling Relationships

“…The fact that most sibling dyads differ in age also may be a factor in siblings' unique in fl uences (Howe & Recchia, 2005 ) . And, a body of studies documents that siblings can learn social cognitive skills and prosocial behaviors in the context of their social exchanges, including con fl ict resolution, perspective-taking, emotional support provision, and emotion regulation (Brown, Donelan-McCall, & Dunn, 1996 ;Karos, Howe, & Aquan-Assee, 2007 ;Killoren, Thayer, & Updegraff, 2008 ;Kennedy & Kramer, 2008 ) . Importantly, evidence from intervention studies reveals that siblings can be effectively taught to use a variety of prosocial skills (e.g., initiating play, resolving con fl icts, regulating emotions) that enhance the overall quality of the sibling relationship (Kennedy & Kramer, 2008 ;Kramer, 2004 ) .…”