Interparental Conflict Appraisals and Adolescents’ Maladaptation in Siblings: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate dyadic effects among siblings by testing an actor–partner interdependence model of associations between interparental conflict perceptions and children maladjustment. In particular, associations between siblings’ perceptions of interparental conflict properties, threat, and self-blame, and general, personal, school, and social maladjustment and adolescents’ family and sibling dissatisfaction were examined. The hypotheses of the study were analyzed through an Actor-Partner Interdependent Model. The sample was made up of 50 pairs of siblings recruited in Spain; older siblings’ mean age was 13.3 years (SD = 2.51) and younger siblings’ mean age was 10.4 years (SD = 2.33). The results emphasize the association between children’s and adolescents’ perception of interparental conflict and their own maladjustment (actor effect). However, the main novel contribution of this study is the analysis of partner effects for siblings in interparental conflict situations and the results highlight that they are greater for older siblings compared to younger siblings. Also, the results confirm the interdependency of siblings’ perceptions of interparental conflict properties, but also the independency of threat and self-blame feelings experienced by each sibling. Results and limitations of the study are discussed.

An integrated model: marital effect on adolescent behavioral problems through siblings

“…On the one hand, family spillover hypothesis suggests that stress or harmony from parents’ marriage may spill over into sibling relationships. Increases in marital conflict is related to increase in hostility in sibling relationships ( Merino et al, 2022 ; Chen, 2023 ). Meanwhile, marital intimacy is positively related to sibling closeness ( Kim et al, 2007 ), and adolescents with warm marital relationships have higher sibling affection ( McHale et al, 2000 ; Skinner and McHale, 2022 ).…”

Longitudinal association between interparental conflict and risk-taking behavior among Chinese adolescents: testing a moderated mediation model

“…Based on Bronfenbrenner's [ 14 ] ecological model, the family is the most influential and immediate aspect of the ecological environment in terms of human development. A negative family environment may result in maladaptive developmental outcomes [ 64 , 82 ]. Inspired by this theory, numerous studies have examined the role of family factors in adolescent risk-taking behavior [ 28 , 32 , 60 , 84 ].…”