Sibling Experiences in Diverse Family Contexts

McGuire, Shirley; Shanahan, Lilly

doi:10.1111/j.1750-8606.2010.00121.x

Cited by 51 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…In addition, structural variables, such as sibling age, gender composition, birth order, and family characteristics affect relationship properties such as satisfaction, support, or competition (see Connidis, 2001; Riggio, 2006; Sullaway, 1996; Tucker, McHale, & Crouter, 2001). Even who is considered a sibling may vary by ethnicity and culture (see McGuire & Shanahan, this issue; Riedmann & White, 1996; Walker, Allen, & Connidis, 2005). We briefly consider how factors such as individual and dyadic characteristics and differential timing of role transitions affect sibling relationships.…”

Section: Other Factors Affecting Life Transitions Of Siblingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In another example, Hindu brothers in north India are able to develop lifelong harmonious relationships by focusing on cooperation and compromise despite a cultural expectation of hierarchy among brothers (Derne, 1993). Weisner (1993) suggests that research needs to compare sibling roles and relationships within and across cultures, as well as within and between families, in order to understand the influence of family and culture on these lifelong relationships (see also McGuire & Shanahan, this issue).…”

Section: Other Factors Affecting Life Transitions Of Siblingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sibling Relationships During the Transition to Adulthood

Conger

Little

2010

Child Dev Perspectives

152

208

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Recent research has shed new light on individual development during the early adulthood years, yet few investigators have examined sibling relationships during this stage of life. These relationships undergo transformations as individuals enter adult roles and orient their lives towards friends and romantic partners and establish independence from parents and siblings. This review examines major life events and role transitions such as leaving home, completing school, obtaining employment, getting married, and having children that influence individuals and their sibling relationships. In addition, the review considers how sibling relationships may affect individuals during the transition to adulthood, and considers the context of family and culture. The article concludes with suggestions for future research on sibling relationships during early adulthood and beyond.Research on sibling relationships and development during the transition to adulthood has converged to produce a new line of inquiry into the nature and relevance of sibling relationships in early adulthood. Just as individuals undergo multiple changes on their journey toward adulthood, sibling relationships undergo transformations as older adolescents establish independence from their natal family and acquire adult roles. These role transitions often promote a recentering of major life relationships, such as those with family, friends, and romantic partners (Tanner, 2005). However, few researchers have followed siblings as they, one by one, leave their natal family and move into the wider world (Cicirelli, 1996;Dunn, 2007). A host of research questions, ranging from the practical to the philosophical, remain unanswered. For example, what happens when older siblings leave home after high school or college? More philosophically, what purpose do siblings play in family life during the transition to adulthood? As Dunn (1992) stated, "The question of how normative life transitions affect siblings' relationships is an interesting one, on which we have, as yet, little systematic information" (p.3). It is this stage of life, the transition from adolescence to adulthood, where the largest gap in research on sibling relationships exists (Bedford, 1998;Cicirelli, 1996; Connidis, 2001). This article identifies meaningful events and experiences during the transition to adulthood that may affect the nature of sibling relationships and discusses how sibling relationships may affect this transition.

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Section: Other Factors Affecting Life Transitions Of Siblingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Other Factors Affecting Life Transitions Of Siblingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sibling Relationships During the Transition to Adulthood

Conger

Little

2010

Child Dev Perspectives

152

208

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“…Although the stress associated with single parenthood can spill over into the sibling relationship (e.g., Anderson & North, 1988; Polit, 1984), it can also draw siblings together (see McGuire & Shanahan, 2010). Conger, Stocker, and McGuire’s (2009) review of this literature led to the development of a model to guide research on families experiencing challenges, wherein particular qualities of the sibling relationship moderate the effects of family stress on child adjustment.…”

Section: Sibling Relations In Single-parent Familiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reciprocal and Complementary Sibling Interactions: Relations With Socialization Outcomes in the Kindergarten Classroom

Harrist

Achacoso²,

John

et al. 2014

Early Education and Development

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Research Findings To examine associations between sibling interaction patterns and later social outcomes in single- and two-parent families, 113 kindergarteners took part in naturalistic observations at home with siblings, classmates participated in sociometric interviews, and teachers completed behavior ratings. Sibling interactions were coded using a newly-developed 39-item checklist, and proportions of complementary and reciprocal sibling interactions computed. Complementarity occurred more among dyads where kindergartners were with toddler or infant siblings than among kindergartners with older or near-age younger siblings. Higher levels of complementarity predicted lower levels of internalizing but were not related to externalizing problems. Kindergartners’ sociometric status in the classroom differed as a function of sibling interaction patterns, with neglected and controversial children experiencing less complementarity/more reciprocity than popular, average, and rejected children. Finally, there was some evidence for differential associations of sibling interaction patterns with social outcomes for children in single- versus two-parent families: regressions testing interaction effects show sibling reciprocity positively associated with kindergartners’ social skills only in single-parent families, and complementary sibling interactions positively related to internalizing problems only in two-parent families. Implications for Practice Those working with divorcing or other single-parent families might consider sibling interactions as a potential target for social skill building.

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“…In the first article, Shirley McGuire and Lilly Shanahan (this issue) review the complexity of sibling experiences in diverse U.S. family contexts, focusing on families that vary in ethnic background and family structure. They address an intriguing question: How can sibling status best be defined in the increasingly diverse family forms found around the world?…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction to the Special Section: Perspectives on Sibling Relationships: Advancing Child Development Research

Conger

Kramer

2010

Child Dev Perspectives

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Abstract— For the vast majority of individuals, relationships with siblings provide a context for life experiences, yet the influences of these relationships are rarely reflected in studies of child and adolescent development. To encourage researchers to take the role of siblings into account in their studies of child development, this Special Section of Child Development Perspectives presents 3 articles that summarize emerging issues related to how siblings are defined in a world of increasingly diverse family forms and multiple cultures and to the unique role of siblings during the transition to adulthood. The Special Section concludes with a commentary that frames sibling issues within the larger context of research on social relationships and child development across the life course.

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Sibling Experiences in Diverse Family Contexts

Cited by 51 publications

References 82 publications

Sibling Relationships During the Transition to Adulthood

Sibling Relationships During the Transition to Adulthood

Reciprocal and Complementary Sibling Interactions: Relations With Socialization Outcomes in the Kindergarten Classroom

Introduction to the Special Section: Perspectives on Sibling Relationships: Advancing Child Development Research

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