Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire Research Articles

Family values as predictors of the quality of close relationships

Aim
 The aim of this study was to determine if and in what way family values influence the quality of interpersonal relationships of adult siblings and the partners in close long-term relationships. 
 Method
 In the conducted quantitative research three self-descriptive tools were used: Familism Scale, Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire and Commitment Inventory. The research included 234 adults (M = 35; SD = 9.128). Women accounted for 64.1% of the sample (n = 150). 
 Results
 Among the most frequently chosen family value dimensions were Individualism, Family support and Respect. Family values appeared to be significant predictors for both the quality of adult sibling relationships and interpersonal commitment in a close long-term relationship. 
 Conclusion
 Familism contributes to developing proper interpersonal relationships in close relationships.

Explaining Differences Between Sibling Relationships in Schizophrenia and Nonclinical Sibling Relationships.

BackgroundGood sibling relationships in adulthood are known to be a protective factor for mental health. The quality of these relationships is influence by the sibship’s inherent characteristics (e.g., birth order, number of brothers and sisters, sex composition, age gaps). The present study explored whether these same determinants can help to explain how individuals experience their relationship with a sibling who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.MethodA total of 374 adults completed the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire, a scale that probes the quality of these relationships on three dimensions: warmth, conflict, and rivalry. We also collected sociodemographic data and information about family structure from each of the participants. Participants were divided into two matched groups: nonclinical sibling group (n = 187) or schizophrenia sibling group (n = 187). Regression analyses were conducted to extract possible predictors of sibling relationship quality for each group. Further regression analyses then focused exclusively on relationships with an ill sibling, in order to study the role of disease-related variables in explaining each of the three dimensions.ResultsResults showed that sociodemographic and family structure data explained a significant proportion of variance in the sibling relationship, but solely for nonclinical siblings. When participants had a sibling with schizophrenia, we found that disease-related variables (symptom severity, frequency of treatment) also had to be included to predict the conflict dimension.ConclusionsOur results suggest that feelings of conflict experienced by the schizophrenia sibling group were fueled by the symptoms the ill person displayed. Healthy brothers and sisters probably have only a poor understanding of these symptoms. This could be improved by supporting them and helping them learn more about the disease. Future research will have to prove that providing such support for siblings does indeed improve the quality of their sibling relationships and, by so doing, enhance the wellbeing of both members of a sibling dyad.

Long-Term Recipient Health-Related Quality of Life and Donor-Recipient Relationship following Sibling Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Despite the fact that the choice of donors and the number of sources of hematopoietic stem cells have increased, a sibling remains a preferred donor for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Transplant donation between siblings is a unique life experience that may have an impact on their future relationship. The aim of the study was to quantitatively measure the quality of life (QoL) in patients who underwent transplant and to describe the relationship between a recipient and a sibling donor after HSCT. We identified and invited 82 adults aged 18.0 to 38.7 years (median, 23.6) who underwent HSCT in our center and their sibling donors to participate in this survey. Forty-five patients (54.9%) and their siblings consented to take part in the study. The studied group consisted of 45 matched siblings donor (MSD)-HSCT recipients (19 women and 26 men) aged 18.0 to 36.2 (median, 28.5) years, who underwent MSD-HSCT at the age of 5.8 to 16.3 (median, 11.9) years, and their sibling donors aged 21.0 to 36.0 (median, 31.0) years, who were aged 11.2 to 20.2 (median, 15.5) years at bone marrow harvesting. For QoL and sibling relationship assessment, we used the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplantation (FACT-BMT) and the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (ASQR). Higher scores indicate better quality of life in each scale of the FACT-BMT and the more significant is the factor in a sibling relationship measured by the ASQR. The questionnaires were given to both subgroups, HSCT recipients and donors, and the results were compared with each other. The overall result of the FACT-BMT questionnaire was 117 ± 35.0. The highest QoL was found in the functional (25.0 ± 3.5) and social well-being (25.0 ± 3.5) subscales, whereas the worst was in the emotional well-being (18.0 ± 9.5) subscale. Statistically, the QoL score was not influenced by current age (P = .378), age at the moment of HSCT (P = .256), and sex (P = .117). Being a recipient or a donor of HSCT was not a significant factor associated with warmth (2.6 ± 0.5 versus 3.1 ± 0.5; P = .830) and conflict (2.0 ± 0.7 versus 2.1 ± 1.2; P = .886) within the sibling relationship, whereas recipients scored significantly lower in rivalry within the sibling relationship compared with HSCT donors (0.8 ± 0.3 versus 1.2 ± 0.2; P = .012). The FACT Treatment Outcome Index remained the only significant predictor of warmth in the sibling relationship between HSCT recipient and donor. QoL in adult patients after HSCT in childhood was good. Sibling donor-recipient relationship is unbalanced, with a higher level of rivalry presented among donors. Further multicenter studies based on a larger cohort of patients are necessary to assess all aspects of the sibling relationship after transplantation experience.

Personality and interpersonal sibling relationships in early adulthood – causal analysis

Aim of the studyThe aim of the study was to identify personality predictors of the quality of interpersonal sibling relationships in early adulthood.Subject or material and methodsThe participants of the study were 160 young adults (M=25.5 years; SD=3.27), coming from the district of Łódź. The applied research tools included: Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire – short form, Personality Inventory NEO-FFI, Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire INTE.ResultsThe obtained results indicate the occurrence of personality determinants of the quality of interpersonal sibling relationships in early adulthood. It was found out that Extraversion and Openness (only in the group of men) were determined the sibling relationships based on Warmth. Conflictual relationships with adult siblings in both groups were determined by a low level of Agreeableness, and, only in the group of women, by a high level of Neuroticism and Extraversion. Rivalry in relationships with siblings in the group of women was determined by a low level of Agreeableness. In the conducted research, emotional intelligence did not determine the quality of relationships with adult siblings. It was found out that women had obtained higher mean scores than men in respect of Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Emotional Support.DiscussionThe results of this study are partly consistent with the results of previous studies in this area.ConclusionsThe fact of showing the role of personality dimensions and emotional intelligence in shaping the quality of interpersonal sibling relationships in early adulthood will contribute to updating the psychological knowledge in this field and may be important for the psychotherapeutic practice.

Young adults’ sibling relationships: Italian adaptation and validation of the Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale

To deepen our understanding of young adults’ sibling relationships in the Italian context, this study examines the psychometric properties of the Italian adaptation and validation of the Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale (LSRS) in a sample of 350 Italian university students (68.6% females, 31.4% males; ages 19–30 year, M = 23.6, SD = 3.2). Confirmatory factor analysis showed the expected six-factor structure and a close correlation between factors and scales. Internal consistency was adequate and correlation analysis with the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (ASRQ) confirmed the theoretical relations among the constructs. The findings confirm the transcultural validity of the LSRS. Moreover, results are consistent with research findings, indicating that women show a more positive attitude toward sibling relationships, especially when reporting their relationship with sisters, older siblings show a more positive attitude toward sibling relationships, and perception of current maternal and paternal partiality is related to negative attitudes toward sibling relationships.

Psychological aspects of sibling relational conflict vs. mental wellbeing levels in women’s perceptions

Abstract My research aim was to analyse sibling relational conflicts perceived by adult sisters and selected conflict determinants. The study also considered the discriminating significance of the sibling relational conflict intensity for experiencing mental wellbeing. The study included 240 adult women, coming from the Łódź district (M=41.94 SD=15.71). The following research instruments were applied: Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (ASRQ) by C. Stocker et al. (1997) in its – adapted form by K. Walęcka-Matyja (2014), and Mental Health Continuum-Short Form by C.L.M. Keyes (2008) as adapted by D. Karaś et al. (2014). The research results allowed us to conclude about ambivalent kinds of bonds between siblings in adulthood, clearly indicating variation in the relational conflicts depending on the examined sisters’ ages. However, the study did not confirm the significance of gender constellation for experiencing general wellbeing by the examined women. It did verify the hypothesis that there is a significant role for age-level psychological well-being.

The Impact of First-Episode Psychosis on the Sibling Relationship

Objective: Research and clinical practice in first-episode psychosis (FEP) has predominantly focused on parents and partners and has neglected siblings needs. This study aims to characterize the sibling relationship in FEP and to examine the illness-related variables that influence this relationship. Method: Survey methodology explored the experience of 157 siblings during the first 18 months of their brother or sister’s treatment. The Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire was used to measure the warmth, conflict, and rivalry within the relationship. A series of multivariate regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between illness characteristics and sibling relationship. Results: When the young person experiencing FEP had a period of untreated psychosis longer than six months, required more than one hospital admission, had persisting psychotic symptoms, continued to use substances, and/or had a history of physical violence, warmth within the sibling relationship deteriorated. Regression analysis revealed that a history of violence was a significant predictor of the warmth, conflict, and rivalry within the sibling relationship. Suicide attempts were a significant predictor of conflict. Conclusions: This study has established associations between the sibling relationship and illness-related variables. This study promotes consideration of the importance of including siblings in early intervention. Given the powerful role this relationship can have as a protective factor, this study could inform future interventions involving siblings.

Predictors of unmet needs and psychological distress in adolescent and young adult siblings of people diagnosed with cancer.

Predictors of psychological distress and unmet needs amongst adolescents and young adults (AYAs) who have a brother or sister diagnosed with cancer were examined. There were 106 AYAs (12-24 years old) who completed questionnaires covering demographics, psychological distress (Kessler 10), unmet needs (Sibling Cancer Needs Instrument) and family relationships (Family Relationship Index; Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire; Sibling Perception Questionnaire (SPQ)). Three models were analysed (demographic variables, cancer-specific variables and family functioning variables) using multiple linear regression to determine the role of the variables in predicting psychological distress and unmet needs. Unmet needs were higher for AYA siblings when treatment was current or a relapse had occurred. Higher scores on the SPQ-Interpersonal subscale indicating a perceived decrease in the quality of relationships with parents and others were associated with higher levels of distress and unmet needs. The age and gender of the AYA sibling, whether it was their brother or sister who was diagnosed with cancer, the age difference between them, the number of parents living with the AYA sibling, parental birth country, time since diagnosis, Family Relationship Index, Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire and the SPQ-Communication subscale did not significantly impact outcome variables. These results highlight the variables that can assist in identifying AYA siblings of cancer patients who are at risk and have a greater need for psychosocial assistance. Variables that may be associated with increased distress and unmet needs are reported to assist with future research. The results are also useful in informing the development of targeted psychosocial support for AYA siblings of cancer patients.

Psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (ASRQ)

Aim of the studyPolish studies have not been focused on the method enabling a reliable and valid measure of the psychological attributes of sibling relationships in the period of adulthood. The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (ASRQ).Subject or material and methodsThe study included 406 students of different majors of the University of Łódź and the Łódź University of Technology. In the surveyed group, 58.9% were women (n=239) and 41.1% men (n=167). The participants of the survey were adult, aged from 18 to 35 years (M=23.7,SD=3,891).ResultsThe three main ASRQ factors (Warmth, Conflict, Rivalry) showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α .87-.97). Correlations between the individual scales creating the main factors demonstrate similar patterns to the results obtained by the authors of the original version of the ASRQ. The results of the conducted exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses confirm the factorial structure of the original version of the ASRQ.DiscussionThe presented results indicate that the ASRQ in the Polish adaptation is a reliable and valid multidimensional measure of relationships between siblings in early adulthood.ConclusionsThe Polish version of the ASRQ could be used as an appropriate measure assessing relations between siblings in adulthood in Poland.

Attachment states of mind and the quality of young adults' sibling relationships.

This report examines young adults' states of mind regarding their early attachment experiences in relation to the observed and perceived quality of their sibling relationships. Sixty sibling pairs (18-25 years of age) were (a) administered the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan, & Main, 1985), (b) videotaped during a conflict resolution task, and (c) asked to describe the quality of their relationship using the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (Stocker, Lanthier, & Furman, 1997). As hypothesized, dismissing states of mind were associated with lower levels of positive and negative affect while participants attempted to resolve an area of conflict with a sibling as well as with relatively low levels of reported warmth in the relationship. In contrast-but also in line with predictions-preoccupied states of mind were associated with heightened expression of negative affect toward a brother or sister, and the siblings of highly preoccupied individuals reported more conflict in their relationships. Findings provide further support for the importance of young adults' representations of childhood attachment experiences with respect to the quality of their adult relationships. In addition, this study extends previous findings regarding the significance of dismissing versus preoccupied states of mind by demonstrating that these dimensions are differentially associated with behavioral and self-reported aspects of sibling relationship quality in early adulthood.

Young Adult Sibling Relations: The Effects of Perceived Parental Favoritism and Narcissism

ABSTRACT The present study examined predictors of siblings’ relations in 202 young adults (aged 21–32 years), who completed the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. Results indicate that warmth between siblings is explained by gender (with women feeling closer), perceived paternal favoritism, low levels of narcissism, and an interaction suggesting that paternal favoritism moderates the link between narcissism and sibling warmth. Conflict between siblings was explained by gender (sisters), age, parental favoritism, high levels of narcissism, extreme levels of similarity or dissimilarity between siblings, and interactions indicating that older age is a predictor of conflict between siblings among women but not among men. The impact of parental favoritism and narcissism on sibling relationships in young adulthood was discussed.

Adult sibling relationships: Validation of a typology

AbstractThe goals of the two studies reported here were to examine the nature of sibling typologies and to describe a new measure designed to classify the type of sibling relationship. In the first study, participants (N= 172) ranging in age from 18 to 65 years described their current sibling relationships using a new measure (Sibling Type Questionnaire; STQ). Principal components analysis reduced these data to five dimensions (mutuality, criticism, apathy, competition, and longing), which were used in a cluster analysis to partition the sample into five groups (supportive, longing, competitive, apathetic, and hostile). The second study was conducted to validate the classifications provided by the STQ by obtaining descriptions of sibling relationships from a representative sample of adults (N= 658) ranging in age from 18 to 86 years. Factorial congruence was established with each of the five dimensions previously identified, and cluster analyses again were employed to partition the sample into supportive, longing, apathetic, hostile, and competitive groups. Respondents completed the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (ASRQ) and a brief interview to provide a means of validating the cluster solution. Differences in the nature of sibling relationships associated with phases of adult life were also assessed.

Sibling relationships in early adulthood: A typology

AbstractThis investigation attempted to classify adult sibling relationships into a small number of discrete types and to describe those sibling relationship types in terms of the relative warmth, conflict, and rivalry experienced by members of the sibling dyad. Adult participants (N= 267), ranging in age from 17 to 56 years, were asked to complete surveys describing their relationship with the biological sibling who was closest in age to themselves. Using the theoretical categories developed by Murphy (1993) in her study of young siblings, a retrospective questionnaire was constructed to classify the respondent's relationship with his or her sibling as Caretaker, Buddy, or Casual. Along with these three groups, a fourth type of sibling relationship was detected that closely resembled the Loyal subgroup described by Gold (1989) in her study of sibling relationships among the elderly. Differences among these four groups were assessed with the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire developed by Lanthier and Stocker (1993). Group differences are summarized, and several potential developmental paths from childhood to adulthood for the various types of sibling relationships are outlined.

Sibling relationships in early adulthood.

The purposes of this study were to describe the nature of sibling relationships in young adulthood and to examine correlates of individual differences in adults' sibling relationships. A new measure, the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (ASRQ; R. P. Lanthier & C. Stocker, 1992), was developed with 2 samples (N = 383). The factor structure of the ASRQ indicated that sibling relationships in early adulthood were characterized by 3 independent dimensions: warmth, conflict, and rivalry. Individual differences in adults' warmth, conflict, and rivalry with siblings were somewhat associated with family structure variables and were linked to the amount of contact between siblings and to siblings' mental health.