Analysis of siblings' relationship and parenting style using structure modelling approach

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• Sibling relationships are fundamental to socialization and social development.
• Analyzing sibling dynamics necessitates considering the broader family context, including parent-child relationships.
• Parenting styles are recognized as a significant environmental factor influencing child development and interpersonal dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively examine the associations between parenting styles and sibling relationship characteristics.
• To investigate the specific impact of maternal versus paternal parenting styles on sibling bonds.
• To model the complex interplay between parenting and sibling relationship quality.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative research design utilizing data from questionnaires.
• Data collected from 264 bachelor's students.
• Utilized the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire and Questionnaire of Parenting Styles in a Family.
• Employed complex structural equation models for analysis.

Main Results:

• Positive parental emotional relationships and autonomy support were associated with desirable sibling relationship traits.
• Negative parental emotional relationships and strict requirements correlated with negatively perceived sibling traits.
• Paternal parenting styles demonstrated more significant associations with sibling relationship characteristics than maternal styles.

Conclusions:

• Parenting styles are demonstrably linked to the quality of sibling relationships.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering both positive and negative aspects of parenting in understanding sibling dynamics.
• Paternal influence on sibling relationships warrants further investigation due to its unexpected prominence in this study.