Older Sibling Research Articles

“Goosebump man. That's funny!”: Humor with siblings and friends from early to middle childhood

We investigated change and continuity in children's humor production from early to middle childhood with siblings and friends. Sixty-five children (M age = 56.4 months, SD = 5.71) were observed as they played with their older or younger sibling and with a friend in two separate play sessions. Children were observed again approximately three years later (n = 46, M age = 94.6 months; SD = 6.6). Spontaneous humor production was coded in the play sessions. Focal children's humor production did not differ as a function of relationship or time. Children's tendency to produce humor with their sibling at 4 years of age was associated with humor production with a friend, both concurrently and three years later. Our findings draw attention to childhood sibling relationships and friendships as rich contexts for humor and continuities across relationships and time.

“This is a mailbox, right?”: Associations of play materials with siblings’ and friends’ shared meanings during pretend play

Play materials designed to enhance children’s pretense were investigated; namely, how the specific characteristics of the play sets (thematically open-ended village set vs thematically closed-ended train set) influenced children’s play communication regarding their co-construction of shared meanings. Participants included 44 7-year-old focal children playing with both play sets with an older or younger sibling and a same-age friend. Play set differentially impacted the type of shared meanings children co-constructed; specifically, the village set promoted more simple strategies (e.g. descriptions) and clarifications (e.g. questions), and the train set facilitated more prosocial behavior (e.g. helping), regardless of play partner. Friends were more likely to initiate play ideas and engage in disruptive behavior (e.g. control, aggression) with the train versus the village. The pattern of findings indicated that children’s play communications may be associated with the specific type of props and that all materials designed for pretense do not enhance it in the same way.

Affect and gaze responses during an Emotion-Evoking Task in infants at an increased likelihood for autism spectrum disorder

BackgroundThe majority of research examining emotional difficulties in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prior to age 2 relies on parent report.MethodsWe examined behavioral responses (affect and gaze) during emotionally salient tasks designed to elicit mildly positive and negative emotional states in infants. At 12 and 18 months, infants at an increased likelihood for an ASD diagnosis (IL; have an older sibling with ASD; n = 60) and low likelihood (LL; no family history of ASD; n = 21) completed the Emotion-Evoking (EE) Task and parents completed the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R). All children received an Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale—second Edition assessment for ASD symptomatology at 24 months.ResultsThe main findings were (1) the IL group displayed higher rates of negative affect and spent less time looking at the task objects compared to the LL group, and (2) affect and gaze scores at 12 and 18 months, but not scores on the IBQ-R, predicted ASD symptoms at 24 months.LimitationsThe data were drawn from an IL sample and may not be generalizable to the general ASD population, and the children were not followed to determine a diagnosis of ASD.ConclusionThese results suggest that behavioral responses can provide important information that complements parent reports of emotional regulation in IL infants as early as 12 months of age.

Siblings as buffers: Social problems and internalizing and externalizing behaviors across early adolescence.

Youth who struggle to maintain positive peer relationships are more likely to display emotional and behavioral problems, particularly during adolescence. Alternative avenues of social support may buffer against these maladaptive outcomes, particularly sibling relations, as they oftentimes predict adolescent outcomes above and beyond that of parents and peers. The present study examined the role of objective sibling warmth on the longitudinal association between social problems and maladjustment in a sample of 45 adolescent sibling dyads, further testing how effects varied between younger (Mage = 12.1; 24 females) and older (Mage = 14.5; 21 females) siblings. Sibling interactions were observed during cooperative and stressful problem-solving tasks, and later coded for expressions of warmth directed from one sibling to the other. Adolescent social problems and internalizing and externalizing behaviors were collected by multi-informant report and at a 1-year follow-up. Multilevel analyses indicated that adolescents with older siblings who exhibited more warmth were buffered against the effect of social problems on externalizing behaviors, with marginal effects for internalizing symptoms. Younger sibling warmth did not serve as a buffer for older sibling maladjustment. These findings emphasize the importance of considering how multiple dimensions of social support operate to influence functioning, particularly early in adolescence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

The Crucial Role of Mothers and Siblings in Child Survival: Evidence From 29 Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A considerable body of research has studied the effects of siblings on child mortality through birth intervals. This research has commonly focused on older siblings. We argue that birth intervals with younger siblings may have equal or stronger effects on child mortality, even during a mother's pregnancy. Moreover, we contend that birth interval effects need to be considered only when siblings are coresident. Using longitudinal data from 29 Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems across sub-Saharan Africa, covering more than 560,000 children, we examine the proximate role of siblings and mothers in child mortality. We find that a birth interval of 24 months or more is advantageous for both older and younger siblings. The effect of a younger sibling on child mortality is more pronounced than that of an older sibling and adds to the effect of an older sibling. Moreover, child mortality is particularly low during a mother's subsequent pregnancy, contrasting the shock resulting from a younger sibling's birth. Further, we find that a mother's or sibling's absence from the household results in a higher risk of mortality, and the death of either reduces child survival up to six months before the death.

Steady Habits in the Constitution State: Connecticut's Inequitable System of Representation, 1639–1965

Steady Habits in the Constitution State: Connecticut's Inequitable System of Representation, 1639–1965

The roles of sibling status and sibling relationship quality on theory of mind among Chinese preschool children

A wealth of research has revealed that both sibling absence or presence and sibling relationship are essential contributors to children's theory of mind (ToM) skills. However, almost all these studies were conducted in Western, individualistic countries, and no study has yet focused on the sibling-ToM link in Chinese children. To address these gaps, firstly,113 children without siblings (Mage = 4.38 years, SD = 0.84, 53 boys) and 150 one-sibling children (Mage = 4.24 years, SD = 0.85, 64 boys) from China were compared by an established developmental ToM Scale. This study revealed that sibling status (e.g., children with a sibling vs without a sibling; children with an older or child-aged sibling vs. children with a young sibling) did not influence ToM scores. Moreover, for children with a sibling, positive interactions (but not negative interactions) between sibling dyads were positively associated with children's ToM skills. In conclusion, these findings suggested that the presence of one sibling at home only doesn't necessarily accelerate Chinese children's acquisition of ToM skills. It is the positive interaction between siblings that promotes the development of children's ToM skills.

1473Early life immune modulatory exposures and allergy risk in Japanese children

Abstract Background Incidence of allergies among children is increasing and is an important public health issue. We examined whether early life immune modulating exposures and surrogate measures are associated with a reduced risk of allergic diseases among Japanese children. Methods We analyzed data from the Health Diary Study comprising a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of children/adolescents aged 1 to 17 years in Japan. Data were collected on early life factors and diagnosed allergic diseases using a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted evaluating the effects of delivery method, breastfeeding, infections in infancy, older siblings, and daycare on the risk of any allergy and specific types. Results Among 744 children included (mean age=9.5 years; 52% males), 41% experienced an allergic condition. Infection in infancy was associated with an increased risk of asthma (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.09-2.85) especially related to bronchitis and ear infection, and showed a dose-response effect with increasing number of infections (p=0.04). Having older sibling(s) modified the effect of infections on asthma risk (p-interaction=0.11). Reduction in risk of allergic rhinitis was suggestive related to exclusive breastfeeding and having two or more siblings. Conclusions Evidence is unclear regarding a protective role of early life immune modulatory exposures in allergy risk in Japanese children. In contrast, infectious episodes in infancy may increase the risk of asthma. Key messages While multiple mechanisms may be at play, infections in infancy may increase the risk of asthma which supports protection against infectious transmissions.

Lessons from an older sibling: Social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility

ABSTRACT Given the similarities that exist between two constructs—corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social entrepreneurship (SE)—we examine how CSR literature can inform the SE literature. We argue that both CSR and SE emerged from governmental failures as well as the response to the needs of societies. CSR and SE are relatively new constructs that have struggled with definitional problems. We suggest that both constructs may suffer from agency problems while leading to some unexpected benefits. By applying the lessons learned through CSR research to SE research, the development of SE literature could be accelerated, thereby improving interactions for all constituents.

Infant Effortful Control Mediates Relations Between Nondirective Parenting and Internalising-Related Child Behaviours in an Autism-Enriched Infant Cohort

Internalising problems are common within Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); early intervention to support those with emerging signs may be warranted. One promising signal lies in how individual differences in temperament are shaped by parenting. Our longitudinal study of infants with and without an older sibling with ASD investigated how parenting associates with infant behavioural inhibition (8–14 months) and later effortful control (24 months) in relation to 3-year internalising symptoms. Mediation analyses suggest nondirective parenting (8 months) was related to fewer internalising problems through an increase in effortful control. Parenting did not moderate the stable predictive relation of behavioural inhibition on later internalising. We discuss the potential for parenting to strengthen protective factors against internalising in infants from an ASD-enriched cohort.

Children’s Connectedness with Siblings and Friends from Early to Middle Childhood during Play

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to investigate children’s connected communication during play with a sibling and friend from early to middle childhood. Participants included 65 4-year-old focal children at time 1 (T1) and 46 7-year-old focal children at time 2 (T2) who were videotaped at home in separate semi-structured free play sessions with an older or younger sibling and a same-aged friend at both time points. Data were coded for connectedness in communication (e.g., smooth and flowing or disjointed and fragmented) across relationship contexts and time. Research Findings: Focal children made more failed attempts at establishing connectedness and engaged in more self-talk with their siblings than with their friends, whereas they maintained connectedness more often with their friends. In terms of the partners’ balance of participation, at T1 focal children ended connected interactions more often than their siblings, and the siblings engaged in more self-talk and unclear statements. In contrast, the balance of participation did not differ between friends at T1 and T2, nor did siblings differ at T2, suggesting friend partners made equal contributions to the play interactions, whereas developmental differences were apparent for siblings. Practice or Policy: The findings contribute to our understanding of developmental and relationship differences of children’s connected communication during play from early to middle childhood. Parents and educators need to be aware that opportunities for connection and disconnection during sibling play are typical and provide experiences for children to practice communication skills.

Implicit learning in 3-year-olds with high and low likelihood of autism shows no evidence of precision weighting differences.

Predictive Processing accounts of autism claim that autistic individuals assign higher precision to their prediction errors than non‐autistic individuals, that is, autistic individuals update their predictions more readily when faced with unexpected sensory input. Since setting the level of precision is a fundamental part of perception and learning, we propose that such differences should be detectable in various domains at a very early age, before clinical symptoms have fully emerged. We therefore tested 3‐year‐old younger siblings of autistic children, with a high likelihood of later receiving an autism diagnosis themselves, and low‐likelihood children with an older sibling without autism. We used a novel implicit learning paradigm to examine the effect of sensory noise on the predictions participants built. In order to learn a sequence, our participants had to select which visual information to attend to and disregard low‐level prediction errors caused by the sensory noise, which the theory claims is more difficult for autistic individuals. Contrary to the proposed higher precision‐weighting of prediction errors in autism, the high‐likelihood children did not show signs of updating their predictions more readily when we added sensory noise compared to the low‐likelihood children, either in their reaction times or in the recurrence and determinism of their response locations. These results raise challenges for Predictive Processing theories of autism, specifically for the notion that prediction errors are inflexibly highly weighted by individuals with autism.

The Need for Increased Study of Infants and Toddlers Later Diagnosed With Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Purpose This article examines the need for increased research into the prelinguistic trajectory of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). We discuss the significant gains made in the early identification of disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, and Rett syndrome that have resulted through the study of early (i.e., prelinguistic) developmental behaviors of infants and toddlers at risk for these disorders. We suggest that notable gains in understanding CAS could be made by increasing investigative focus on infants and toddlers later diagnosed with CAS or who are at risk for it (i.e., have an older sibling diagnosed with the disorder). Conclusions Currently, there are few studies to guide clinical decision making for infants and toddlers who may have CAS. To address this gap, we present a call to action with recommendations for researchers and clinicians. We recommend more retrospective investigative designs be conducted, inclusive of retrospective parent questionnaires and retrospective home video analysis, as well as prospective longitudinal studies of at-risk infants. We suggest that studies not be limited to exploring an affected infant's vocal output, but that efforts be made to acquire a broad view of an affected infant's early developmental trajectory (e.g., social skills, eye gaze, and imitative skills). A more comprehensive understanding of CAS will guide clinicians not only in identification of the disorder but will inform treatment decisions as well.

Growth Curves of Ryukyu Scops Owl Nestlings, an Owl Species with Asynchronous Hatching and Reversed Sexual Dimorphism

The growth pattern of an organism is influenced by multiple factors, such as its sex, parental investment, food abundance and sibling competition. For species showing sexual size dimorphism, the sex of siblings is expected to affect the growth of nestlings through differences in competitive hierarchies mediated by an asymmetry in body size. This study describes growth curves of Ryukyu Scops Owl Otus elegans nestlings, based on the analysis of body mass, wing length and tarsus length in 99 individuals. We subsequently tested for effects of sex of the nestlings, having an older male sibling, hatching order and brood size on the growth curves. Overall, we detected significant effects of several predictor variables, although differences between groups were often small. Males and later hatched chicks had lower body mass throughout their growth. The smaller the brood, the heavier the chicks were on days 0–1 and 30–32, although this relationship was reversed on days 8–13. Males and later hatched chicks also had shorter wings. Males had shorter tarsi than females from day 0 to day 4, however, dimorphism in this trait was reversed afterwards. Chicks in a large brood had longer tarsi. Earlier hatched chicks had longer tarsi in the first half of the growth period, but some of this difference had disappeared by the second half. From day 0 to day 3, individuals with an older brother had longer tarsi than those with an older sister. However, halfway through the growth period and thereafter, individuals with an older brother had shorter tarsi than those with an older sister. The fact that older brothers had an effect on the tarsus growth of their siblings was not due to sexual body size asymmetry, as in fact males were smaller than females in wing length and body size. We suggest that sexual differences in aggression mediated by androgens may have played a role.

A Pilot Study of Younger Sibling Adaptation: Contributions of Individual Variables, Daily Stress, Interparental Conflict and Older Sibling's Variables.

Older siblings are powerful socialization agents, playing a significant role in the sociocognitive, social, and emotional development of their younger siblings. However, there are few clues about the variables that explain younger sibling’s adaptation. The objective of this pilot study was to identify the determinants of younger siblings' adaptation and to analyze the role played by personal, sibling, family and older siblings’ variables using 50 dyads of siblings aged between 7 and 18 years. The variables considered were the sibling relationships and the maladaptation of older siblings, and individual (sex, number of siblings, extroversion, and agreeableness) and contextual variables (interparental conflict, daily stress) were controlled. Hierarchical multiple regressions provided evidence in favor of the model that analyzed the younger siblings' maladaptation to school, showing positive associations both with the older siblings' level of school maladaptation and with sibling conflict. In addition, the study highlighted the relevance of the trait of agreeableness and of family stress in the adaptation of younger siblings.

A young linguistic and cultural mediator: a case of trilingual siblings’ interaction

ABSTRACT Siblings play crucial roles in each other’s cognitive and language development because they observe, imitate, and receive guidance and support from each other during their interactions. In this research, we examined trilingual siblings (ages 6 and 9) from an immigrant family with a rarely explored cultural background (American-born children of Korean Chinese parents) and their multilingual interactions with a researcher. Employing cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and Vygotsky’s notion of mediation Vygotsky (1978), we particularly focused on the roles that the older multilingual sibling took on during interactions and what mediations of meaning-making took place that created learning opportunities. Our analysis was based on the interaction data between the siblings. Findings revealed that the older sibling played a unique role as a linguistic and cultural mediator, assisting meaning-maintaining processes in multilingual interactions by providing interlingual and intralingual interpretation and transferring linguistic and cultural knowledge. Given the current educational landscape that prioritizes learning English, and the complexities of maintaining three languages for trilingual children, this study adds to the literature highlighting the unique roles multilingual children can play in expanding others’ languages, literacies, and cultures, as well as facilitating multilingual communicative events.

MO112SYSTEMIC OXALOSIS IN PRIMARY HYPEROXALURIA TYPE 3 – ARE THE PATIENTS AT RISK?

Abstract Background and Aims Primary Hyperoxaluria type 3 (PH3) is said to be the less problematic form of PH and with low risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease. However, a recent OxalEurope registry evaluation reported both urine and plasma oxalate levels in a comparable range as in PH1 and PH2 patients. In addition, PH3 patients remain symptomatic with recurrent kidney stones, even in adulthood, and 24% of the 95 patients evaluated were on CKD ≥ 2 at last follow up. Hence, it was speculated, that PH3 patients may also be on risk to develop systemic oxalate deposition. Method We retrospectively analyzed the imaging procedures performed so far in patients regularly seen at the German Hyperoxaluria Center, which included: eye exams; x-rays of the hand; bone MRI (3 Thesla of the left knee and proximal tibia); and Speckle tracking echocardiography using 2D Cardiac Performance Analysis VC (TomTec Imaging Systems GmbH, Germany), which measures changes in global longitudinal strain (GLS), an index of left ventricular contractibility. The normal range for GLS is ≤18%. All patients or parents signed an informed consent. Results From the 49 PH3 patients registered at the German Hyperoxaluria center, 12 pediatric and 4 adult patients are seen on a regular basis, at least twice a year, and the rest are followed in other centers. All the 16 patients were in stable kidney function and in no less than CKD 2. Eye examination was performed in six patients and was normal in all. Four patients received an x-ray of the left hand, which was normal in 3, but in one patient with a problematic clinical course (multiple stone removal procedures, decline in GFR), tiny sclerosing areas, although no true metaphyseal bands, were seen at caput MCP IV and the thumb. Therefore, MRI of the left knee and proximal tibia was performed in this and another patient, which showed no signs of systemic oxalate deposition. Speckle tracking echocardiography was done in 6 patients and was abnormal in one (GLS – 17.3 and left ventricular hypertrophy) and borderline in the twin sibling (GLS – 18.6). The patient with the abnormal GLS also had salivary stones in the parotid gland, as were also found in his other, older sibling in a routine x-ray of the jaw before orthodontic treatment. Conclusion Although this is currently only data of a small cohort of patients, the parameters available so far show, that systemic oxalate deposition may also occur in PH3. Based on our experience on PH1, we regard Speckle tracking echocardiography as the best parameter to detect early systemic calcium-oxalate depositions. Hence the reduction in global longitudinal strain, thus ventricular contractability, is a clear proof of such deposits. Of course, data in more patients are needed to elucidate the true risk of systemic oxalate deposition and we are therefore currently screening all our PH3 patients.

Sensory Responsiveness Is Linked With Communication in Infant Siblings of Children With and Without Autism.

Purpose Differences in communication development impact long-term outcomes of children with autism. Previous research has identified factors associated with communication in children with autism, but much of the variance in communication skill remains unexplained. It has been proposed that early differences in sensory responsiveness (i.e., hyporesponsiveness, hyperresponsiveness, and sensory seeking) may produce "cascading effects" on communication. Evidence for this theory is limited, however, as relations between sensory responsiveness and communication in the earliest stages of development have not been well established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate (a) whether infants with a heightened likelihood of autism diagnosis (i.e., infants with an older sibling with autism) differ from infants at general population-level likelihood of autism (i.e., infants with an older, nonautistic sibling) on patterns of sensory responsiveness, (b) whether early sensory responsiveness is correlated with concurrent communication, and (c) whether the aforementioned between-groups differences and associations are moderated by age. Method Participants were 40 infants (20 infants with an older sibling with autism, 20 infants with an older, nonautistic sibling) aged 12-18 months. A series of observational and parent report measures of sensory responsiveness and communication skill were administered. Results Group differences in sensory responsiveness across the 12- to 18-month period were limited (i.e., only observed for one measure of hyporesponsiveness), though selected differences in sensory responsiveness (i.e., parent-reported hyperresponsiveness and sensory seeking) emerged between groups over this developmental window. Parent-reported hyporesponsiveness was unconditionally, negatively associated with communication skills. Associations between expressive communication and (a) parent-reported sensory seeking and (b) an observational measure of hyperresponsiveness were moderated by age. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the nature of sensory responsiveness and theorized links with communication skill in infants at elevated and general population-level likelihood of autism diagnosis. Further work is needed to better characterize the effects of interest in a larger sample spanning a wider age range. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14515542.

White matter abnormalities and iron deposition in prenatal mucolipidosis IV- fetal imaging and pathology.

Mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV; OMIM 252,650) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal disorder caused by mutations in MCOLN1. MLIV causes psychomotor impairment and progressive vision loss. The major hallmarks of postnatal brain MRI are hypomyelination and thin corpus callosum. Human brain pathology data is scarce and demonstrates storage of various inclusion bodies in all neuronal cell types. The current study describes novel fetal brain MRI and neuropathology findings in a fetus with MLIV.Fetal MRI was performed at 32 and 35weeks of gestation due to an older sibling with spastic quadriparesis, visual impairment and hypomyelination. Following abnormal fetal MRI results, the parents requested termination of pregnancy according to Israeli regulations. Fetal autopsy was performed after approval of the high committee for pregnancy termination. A genetic diagnosis of MLIV was established in the fetus and sibling. Sequential fetal brain MRI showed progressive curvilinear hypointensities on T2-weighted images in the frontal deep white matter and a thin corpus callosum. Fetal brain pathology exhibited a thin corpus callosum and hypercellular white matter composed of reactive astrocytes and microglia, multifocal white matter abnormalities with mineralized deposits, and numerous aggregates of microglia with focal intracellular iron accumulation most prominent in the frontal lobes. This is the first description in the literature of brain MRI and neuropathology in a fetus with MLIV. The findings demonstrate prenatal white matter involvement with significant activation of microglia and astrocytes and impaired iron metabolism.

Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in two siblings with adult metachromatic leukodystrophy and a systematic literature review.

Two siblings were diagnosed with adult metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) and treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). While the older sibling was symptomatic at the time of diagnosis, her younger brother was diagnosed and transplanted at the presymptomatic state. We describe patients' clinical, biochemical, and genetic features, as well as neuropsychological and neurophysiological test results, and brain magnetic resonance imaging from pretransplantation and posttransplantation assessments. Both patients converted to complete donor chimerism and arylsulfatase A levels normalized 3 months posttransplantation. Twelve months posttransplantation, neurological and neuropsychological assessment for both patients showed stabilization, and they remained stable for the 38 months long observation period. To assess the effect of HSCT used as treatment for the rare, adult MLD subtype on survival and stabilization, we performed a systematic literature review and included 7 studies with a total of 26 cases. Of these 26 cases, 6 patients died of HSCT‐related complications and 2 patients had graft rejection. Of the remaining 18 patients, 2 patients improved after HSCT, 13 patients stabilized, and 3 patients progressed, suggesting that HSCT potentially benefits adult MLD patients. Larger studies focusing on this subtype are needed and recommendations on criteria for HSCT in adult MLD need to be evolved.