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Sibling behavior with a newborn: parents' expectations and observations
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames 50011-1030.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing : JOGNN
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Parents anticipated more negative behaviors from their firstborn child than observed after a sibling arrived. Developmentally appropriate behaviors remained consistent, showing parental expectations were more negative than reality.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Family Dynamics
- Parenting Studies
Background:
- Parental expectations significantly shape perceptions of child behavior.
- The arrival of a second child introduces new dynamics to the family, potentially impacting the firstborn's behavior and parental observations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate parental expectations and perceptions of firstborn child behavior before and after the birth of a second child.
- To compare parental expectations with observed behaviors in firstborn children during this transition.
Main Methods:
- Seventy married couples with an existing child (≤6 years) expecting their second child participated.
- Questionnaires assessing Older Child Expectations, Older Child Observations, and Sibling Behavior were administered pre- and post-birth.
- Independent t-tests analyzed mean changes in parent perceptions over time.
Main Results:
- Parents' expectations for their firstborn's behavior concerning the newborn were significantly more negative than their actual observations.
- Observed developmentally appropriate behaviors in the firstborn child showed minimal significant change before and after the sibling's arrival.
- 16 out of 23 items related to the newborn showed significant differences in parental expectations versus observations.
Conclusions:
- Parental expectations regarding their firstborn's behavior around a new sibling are often more negative than reality.
- Firstborn children's developmentally appropriate behaviors remain largely stable despite the introduction of a sibling.
- This suggests a potential overestimation of negative behavioral changes by parents.
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