Do Friendships and Sibling Relationships Provide Protection against Peer Victimization in a Similar Way?

Abstract

Based on the notion that friendship may serve an important protective function against peer victimization, this study examined the moderating effect of reciprocal friends' prosociality on the link between a child's reactive aggression and victimization. The study also investigated whether a similar moderating effect could be found with respect to sibling's prosociality, given that sibling relationships have been found to provide social benefits comparable to friendships. These questions were addressed using a sample of 246 six-year-old twin pairs (246 boys and 246 girls). The results showed that a child's own reactive aggression uniquely contributed to the risk of victimization for both boys and girls. The link between reactive aggression and victimization was, however, moderated by reciprocal friends' prosocial behavior and siblings' prosocial behavior, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of their theoretical and prevention-related implications for children at risk for peer victimization.

The Effects of Sibling Relationships on Social Adjustment Among Japanese Twins Compared With Singletons

“…According to previous studies in which the participants were siblings of different ages (hereafter, singleton siblings), emotional support and social learning provided important benefits for children's social adjustment. Previous studies have found that emotional support from a sibling is associated with positive peer relationships and promotes the development of children's social adjustment (Lamarche et al, 2006;Pike et al, 2005;Rinaldi & Howe, 1998). In addition, Hughes and Leekam (2004) showed that social learning from a sibling promotes the development of social skills.…”

Conflict, Closeness and Comfort: The Inter-Twin Relationship as a Risk Factor for Behavioral Difficulties

“…In singleton populations, poor sibling relations involving high levels of conflict and low levels of warmth, have been associated with negative and conflicting peer relations (Lockwood, 2001;Stormshak, 1996), while receiving comfort and emotional support (i.e., high levels of warmth) from a sibling has been found to be associated with positive peer relations and to benefit children's social adjustment (Buhrmester, 1992;Buhrmester, 1987;Jenkins & Smith, 1990;Lamarche, 2006). In contrast, a close inter-twin relationship has been hypothesized to be a potential limitation on both twin children's independence and their social interaction with peers (DiLalla, 2006;Hay & Preedy, 2006;Stewart, 2000).…”

Behavioral Genetics

“…Some research suggests that having a best friend to some degree protects children from victimization, and a co -twin may act like a friend in this respect (Lamarche et al, 2006 ). However, generalizability is largely supported by the fi nding that the prevalence of bullying among twins is within the range found in nontwins, and prevalence does not differ signifi cantly according to zygosity (Ball et al, 2008 ).…”