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Familial risk and sibling mentalization: Links with preschoolers' internalizing problems

Michelle Rodrigues1, Noam Binnoon-Erez1, Heather Prime1

  • 1Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.

Journal of Family Psychology : JFP : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43)
|March 21, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Older sibling mentalization acts as a protective factor. It buffers younger siblings against familial risk for internalizing problems, preventing the development of future internalizing symptoms when mentalizing abilities are present.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Psychology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Internalizing problems in children are a significant concern.
  • Familial risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing internalizing symptoms.
  • The role of sibling relationships in child development is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if older sibling mentalization moderates the link between familial risk and internalizing problems in younger siblings.
  • To examine older sibling's capacity to understand mental states (mentalization) as a potential protective factor.
  • To explore the developmental trajectory of internalizing problems in relation to family risk and sibling interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study with 397 older siblings and their younger siblings (target children).
  • Assessment of familial risk via older siblings' internalizing problems.
  • Observation and coding of older sibling mentalization during pretend-play interactions.
  • Measurement of target children's internalizing problems using parent reports at two time points.

Main Results:

  • A significant interaction was found between familial risk and older sibling mentalization.
  • Familial risk predicted target children's internalizing problems only when older sibling mentalization was low.
  • When older siblings demonstrated mentalizing abilities, familial risk was not associated with target children's internalizing problems.

Conclusions:

  • Older sibling mentalization serves as a crucial protective factor against the development of internalizing problems.
  • Interventions aimed at enhancing sibling mentalization may help mitigate risks associated with familial psychopathology.
  • The sibling relationship, specifically the older sibling's mentalizing capacity, plays a vital role in younger sibling's socio-emotional development.

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