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Siblings versus parents and friends: longitudinal linkages to adolescent externalizing problems
Ivy N Defoe1, Loes Keijsers, Skyler T Hawk
1Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|February 13, 2013
Summary
Older sibling externalizing problems uniquely predict adolescent externalizing problems, comparable to risks from parents and friends. This highlights siblings as a significant social risk factor in adolescent development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Externalizing problems in adolescence are influenced by peer and parent factors.
- The specific role of siblings in adolescent externalizing behaviors remains under-researched.
- This study addresses the gap by examining sibling influences alongside peer and parent factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal impact of sibling externalizing problems and negative sibling interactions on adolescent externalizing behaviors.
- To compare the influence of siblings with that of friends and parents on adolescent externalizing problems.
- To identify unique risk factors for adolescent externalizing problems within the sibling relationship.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study with four annual data collection waves.
- Involved 497 Dutch adolescents and their siblings, mothers, fathers, and friends.
- Utilized questionnaire data on externalizing problems and negative interactions.
Main Results:
- Older sibling externalizing problems predicted adolescent externalizing problems, independent of other factors.
- These sibling effects were observed in both male and female adolescents and across sibling dyad types.
- No significant longitudinal paths were found between sibling-adolescent negative interactions and adolescent externalizing problems.
Conclusions:
- Older sibling externalizing problems represent a unique social risk factor for adolescent externalizing problems.
- The influence of older sibling externalizing problems is comparable in strength to parental and peer risk factors.
- Sibling relationships, particularly older siblings' behavior, play a crucial role in adolescent development and risk assessment.
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