Sibling Influence Research Articles

Sibling socialization of alcohol use during adolescence: An integrated model of sibling influence processes.

Research demonstrates that siblings, especially older siblings, make unique contributions to adolescents' substance use above and beyond shared genetics and shared parenting. Older siblings' influences on younger adolescent siblings' alcohol use operate through both direct and indirect pathways. Using three waves of longitudinal data, the present study tested an integrated model of sibling influence processes focused on the linkages between older adolescent siblings' earlier alcohol use and younger adolescent siblings' later alcohol use. Longitudinal study using data collected from families on three occasions: Time 1 (March 2019-February 2020), Time 2 (July 2020-February 2021) and Time 3 (November 2021-February 2022) via online surveys. Families resided in five midwestern states in the US (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin). Participants included two adolescent-aged siblings and one parent from 682 families (n = 2046 persons). Alcohol use by adolescents and parents was assessed at Time 1; younger siblings' social alcohol expectancies and perceptions of modeling were measured at Time 2; and younger siblings' alcohol use was measured at Time 3. Older siblings' earlier alcohol use predicted younger siblings' later drinking both directly [b = 0.15, standard error (SE) = 0.04, β = 0.17, P < 0.001] and indirectly through younger siblings' social alcohol expectancies [δ = 0.02, SE = 0.008, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.003, 0.03]. The direct (δ = -0.14, SE = 0.07, 95% CI = -0.27, -0.01) and indirect (δ = 0.03, SE = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.0001, 0.06) links were further moderated by younger siblings' reports of sibling modeling, but not by gender composition of the sibling dyad or the interaction of modeling and gender composition. Older siblings' alcohol use appears to influence younger siblings' later alcohol use directly, as well as indirectly through younger siblings' expectancies about alcohol. The global context of the sibling relationship, in this case sibling modeling, may further amplify or dampen these pathways of influence.

The Role of Family Members on Decision Making Related to Fast Food

When it comes to consumer behavior, the impact that family members have on choices surrounding the consumption of fast food is a significant factor that plays a vital role. An investigation of the ways in which the dynamics of families influence preferences, choices, and consumption patterns within the fast-food sector is presented in this paper. The purpose of this study is to expose the complex web of decision-making processes that occur inside families by analyzing the roles and dynamics that exist within families, such as parental authority, sibling influence, and preferences that are passed down from generation to generation. In addition, it investigates the role that family norms, beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds have on the decisions that people make about fast food, offering insight on the ways in which these elements jointly affect consumer behavior. For marketers and politicians who want to encourage healthy eating habits and address social problems connected to nutrition and health within family groups, it is essential to have a solid understanding of these interactions.

THE POWER OF OPEN COMMUNICATION: EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENT-ADOLESCENT COMMUNICATION AND PROBLEM EXTENT AND THE MODERATING ROLE OF SIBLING INFLUENCE

Adolescence is the period of extensive physical, emotional, and social transformation. This article focuses on the primary role of effective communication within the family, especially parents and siblings influence, in shaping adolescence development. It considers how open, supportive, and sincere interactions help in identity formation, peer relationships, cognitive development, and affect regulation during this critical stage. The article draws both on Eastern and Western psychological paradigms, showing how academic psychology has evolved over the years and the main theoretical frameworks which inform our understanding of adolescent development. It is in this regard that the current study will explore the importance of effective family communication in developing a positive identity, building self-esteem, and supplying a sense of belonging. Emphasized herein is the role of parents in guiding adolescents through open discussions that will help them think critically, solve problems, and make independent decisions. Attention falls onto sibling influence in that they are in a special position to offer emotional support, companionship, and modeling behaviors. It draws from quantitative studies how family dynamics impact adolescent results. Construction and standardization processes of psychological measures are described to explain why reliable and valid instruments are needed when studying adolescent behavior and family interaction. This article concludes with the practical recommendations to enhance family communication strategies in supporting adolescent development. This integration of theoretical perspectives and empirical findings thus provides critical insights for educators, practitioners, and families seeking to promote healthy developmental trajectories among adolescents through effective communication and supportive sibling relationships.

Age at separation, residential mobility, and depressive symptoms among twins in late adolescence and young adulthood: a FinnTwin12 cohort study

BackgroundSeparating with close siblings and leaving the parental home at an early age represents a major life event for an adolescent (reflected by age at separation in a twin pair) and may predispose them to poor mental health. This study aims to examine the association of age at separation and residential mobility on depressive symptoms in late adolescence and young adulthood and to explore possible underlying genetic effects.MethodsResidential mobility consisted of the number and total distance of moves before age 17. Based on 3071 twins from the FinnTwin12 cohort, we used linear regression to assess the association of age at separation and residential mobility with General Behavior Inventory (GBI) scores at age 17 and in young adulthood. A higher GBI score indicated more depressive symptoms occurred. Then, the mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) was used to visualize the scores’ trajectory and test the associations, controlling for "baseline" state. Twin analyses with a bivariate cross-lagged path model were performed between the difference in GBI scores, between cotwins, and separation status for the potential genetic influence.ResultsCompared to twins separated before age 17, twins who separated later had significantly lower GBI scores at age 17 and in young adulthood. In MMRM, separation at a later age and a higher number of moves were associated with a higher GBI score in young adulthood. A small genetic effect was detected wherein GBI within-pair differences at age 17 were associated with separation status before age 22 (coefficient: 0.01).ConclusionThe study provides valid evidence about the influence of siblings and family on depressive symptoms in later adolescence and young adulthood while finding some evidence for a reverse direction effect. This suggests more caution in the interpretation of results. A strong association between residential mobility and depressive symptoms was affirmed, although further detailed research is needed.

The associations between sibling influence and perception of sibling relationship quality among adolescents: The moderating role of birth order

This study examined the longitudinal associations between perception of sibling relationship quality (i.e., sibling warmth and conflict) and sibling influence (i.e., sibling modeling and differentiation), as well as the potential moderating role of birth order among Chinese adolescents. Participants were 150 adolescents ( Mage = 12.84 years, SD = 0.71; gender combination: 41.22% same-sex pairs) from Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Measures of sibling relationship quality and sibling influence were collected via self-reports at two time points, 6 months apart. We study at the individual level and the target child is one of a pair of siblings. Results based on a cross-lagged model indicated that (a) perceiving sibling relationship as warmer positively predicted imitating one’s sibling, (b) imitating one’s sibling positively predicted perceiving sibling relationship as more conflicted for younger siblings but not for older siblings, and (c) perceiving sibling relationship as warmer positively predicted differentiating one’s sibling for older siblings but not for younger siblings. These findings illustrate reciprocal associations between perception of sibling relationship quality and sibling influence.

Associations between Agility, the Relative Age Effect, Siblings, and Digit Ratio (D2:D4) in Children and Adolescents.

This study aims to analyze the influence of relative age effects, siblings, and digit ratio on the agility of children and adolescents. The study included 283 children (9.54 ± 1.36 years) and 296 adolescents (14.68 ± 1.36 years) from four different schools. The analyzed variables included anthropometric data, the presence of siblings, relative age effect, and results from the 10 × 5 m shuttle run test. The findings indicated no significant association between agility and either the 2D:4D ratio or the relative age effect in both children and adolescents (p > 0.05). Additionally, having siblings did not have a notable impact on agility. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that relative age did not influence this lack of association (quarter of birth: p = 0.345, β = 0.039; siblings: p = 0.100, β = -0.069). However, boys showed higher performance than girls in the 10 × 5 m shuttle run test, and higher body mass index was related to lower agility. These findings contribute to existing knowledge on the relative effects of age and provide valuable information for physical education teachers on the influence of the 2D:4D ratio and the presence of siblings on the physical fitness of children and adolescents.

Forging one’s identity as a twin: Balancing sibling cohesion and deidentification

Little is known about how twins influence one another’s development during emerging adulthood. Although the exact mechanisms that underlie sibling influence have not been firmly established, they likely encompass processes that highlight either sibling identification (e.g., seeking similarities and imitation in the service of building cohesion) or deidentification (e.g., seeking differences that distinguish themselves to reduce competition, rivalry, and jealousy). Because past research inferred these processes rather than directly assess them, we conducted a mixed methods study in which 20 sets of monozygotic (MZ, n = 11 dyads) and dizygotic (DZ, n = 9 dyads) twins, aged 19.70 years (SD = 1.11), were interviewed individually regarding their personal identity development and sibling relationship. A grounded theory approach guided the qualitative analysis, which included coordinating twins’ interview responses at the dyadic level. Each twin also completed the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire which provided a complementary quantitative assessment. 75% of the dyads prioritized differentiation and felt that college was the optimal time to pursue unique identities and goals. Those who prioritized seeking similarity were MZ twins who sought emotional closeness and support and attended the same college. Rather than pitting social learning and deidentification as opposing processes, the results suggest that deidentification is a developmental process in which twins increasingly take steps towards independence while seeking to retain the closeness, trust, and reliance they have long enjoyed in their relationship. Practical implications for helping twins balance their needs for autonomy and distinctiveness, while maintaining emotional closeness, are discussed.

The association between 2D:4D digit ratio and sex-typed play in children with and without siblings

The 2D:4D digit ratio is commonly used as a surrogate possibly reflecting prenatal testosterone levels. Indirect evidence comes from studies investigating the association between 2D:4D and human characteristics that likely relate to prenatal testosterone. In children, sex-typed play reveals large sex differences early in development and an influence of prenatal testosterone is likely. Findings on the association between 2D:4D and children’s sex-typed play are heterogeneous and other influences on the development of sex-typed play have been suggested, most of all social influences like siblings, their sex and birth order. The current study examined the association between right and left 2D:4D, a proposed surrogate for prenatal testosterone exposure, which was assessed in right and left hands of N = 505 6-month-old children, and sex-typed play behavior, which was evaluated 3.5 years later using the Pre-School Activities Inventory (PSAI), and the influence of siblings. To capture differential effects of siblings’ sex and birth order, dummy-coded variables were used reflecting having no siblings as well as older or younger sisters or brothers. Multiple regression models were used to investigate the association between PSAI scores and sex, right and left 2D:4D, being a singleton as well as having an older or younger sister or brother. It was shown that sex and having an older brother were significant predictors for sex-typed play. Effects were further disentangled by conducting separate regression analyses in boys and girls. In boys, a significant association between PSAI scores and having an older brother was revealed, in girls, no significant associations were found. Results are discussed highlighting the non-significant association between 2D:4D and children’s sex-typed play, which weakens the applicability of 2D:4D as a surrogate reflecting influences of prenatal T. Further, the importance of social factors like siblings on children’s sex-typed play is discussed.

The dynamics of sibling relationships and their impact on parenting styles

The purpose of this article is to examine and explore the role of sibling relationships and the nature of their impact on parenting. I intend to reflect on this primarily through the lens of attachment, identification, separation, and loss. I hope that by doing this there can be an opening up of further clinical space to think about the influence of siblings in our psychological lives.

The feeding siblings questionnaire (FSQ): Development of a self-report tool for parents with children aged 2–5 years

Over the last decade, there have been repeated calls to expand the operationalisation of food parenting practices. The conceptualisation and measurement of these practices has been based primarily on research with parent-child dyads. One unexplored dimension of food parenting pertains to the evaluation of practices specific to feeding siblings. This study describes the development and validation of the Feeding Siblings Questionnaire (FSQ) – a tool designed to measure practices in which siblings are positioned as mediators in parents’ attempts to prompt or persuade a child to eat. Item development was guided by a conceptual model derived from mixed-methods research and refined through expert reviews and cognitive interviews. These interviews were conducted in two phases, where parents responded to the questionnaire primarily to test i) the readability and relevance of each item, and ii) its overall feasibility. The instrument was completed by 330 parents (96.1% mothers) in Australia with two children aged 2–5 years, and repeated by 133 parents (40.3%) two weeks later. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on baseline data. Internal consistency and test re-test reliability of the subsequent subscales were examined. Construct validity was assessed through comparisons with existing measures of food parenting practices and child eating behaviours. The final FSQ scale included 22 items, reflecting five food parenting practices: sibling competitiveness, active sibling influence, threatening unequal division of food, sibling role modelling, and vicarious operant conditioning. Internal consistency and test re-test reliability estimates were high, and there was some evidence of convergent construct validity. While its factor structure should be confirmed in a different sample, the FSQ offers a novel tool for assessing, monitoring, and evaluating feeding interactions beyond those confined to the parent-child dyad.

The Impact of Sibling Relationships on Behavioral and Sexual Health among Latino Sexual Minority Men

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective method for preventing HIV acquisition and plays a crucial role in the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US initiative. However, there are various barriers that hinder the access and uptake of PrEP among Latino sexual minority men (SMM) at individual, interpersonal, and cultural levels. While the significance of cultural factors in designing and implementing HIV prevention programs for Latino populations has been consistently emphasized in the literature and prioritized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, few studies have directly integrated these cultural factors into their programs. Our study aimed to investigate the potential influence of siblings in promoting the utilization of PrEP for HIV prevention, an area that has received limited attention. We conducted interviews with 31 pairs of siblings between December 2020 and January 2021, which were held in either English or Spanish and lasted approximately 45–60 min. The data were analyzed using a deductive thematic content analysis approach. The interviews revealed several key themes and categories, including: (1) Sibling support for coming out; (2) Types of support that siblings provide to each other for behavior change; (3) Sibling support for PrEP; and (4) The impact of the study interview on the quality of the sibling relationships. Our findings indicated that siblings were willing to provide support for PrEP in various ways, ranging from emotional support for brothers who may be concerned about potential rejection to practical support such as transportation or financial assistance. These results have significant implications for the design of HIV prevention interventions for Latinos. Incorporating siblings or other extended family members into these interventions can facilitate communication between siblings and their brothers, ultimately encouraging the use of PrEP or similar prevention methods. By considering the unique dynamics and support systems within Latino communities, researchers can develop more effective strategies to promote HIV prevention and support the well-being of Latino SMM.

It is More Crowded Than That: Exploring the Impact of Sibling Experience on the Work of Psychodynamic Practitioners

This article presents the results of a Master's research study into the impact of sibling experiences on psychodynamic practitioners. Interpretative phenomenological analysis offered participating therapists an opportunity to make sense of how their own sibling experiences may have shaped their lives and work and sought to generate wider insights about sibling influence should they emerge. Data was obtained from semi‐structured interviews with six psychodynamic practitioners. The research produced three major findings: that siblings do have a significant and enduring impact on the development of the self; that sibling theory and training could do more to explain this; and that the sibling legacy of both therapist and client is present in the consulting room. The article identifies important theoretical insights on how siblings shape our internal worlds and contribute to development. It argues that without understanding their own sibling material, therapists risk missing the importance of siblings in clinical work. To avoid this, training and continuing professional development bodies could give higher priority to sibling theory and clinical understanding, and supervisors and therapists could undertake to increase their own awareness of their own sibling impacts as well as those of their clients.

Sibling influence on migration pathways from the French overseas to mainland France

Abstract Research shows that economic, political and social factors all drive migration, but we still know little about their interaction, especially the interplay between increasingly selective migration policies and family relations. Studies stress the role played by social capital in responding to migration restrictions and the importance of intermediaries in encouraging access to institutional resources, but we lack systematic analyses linking migrant networks and recourse to migration-facilitating programs. This paper fills this gap by investigating how siblings’ influence and migration programs combine in shaping migration from the French Overseas departments (DOM). Using a survey with detailed information on DOM families’ migration histories (MFV, INED, 2010), it assesses whether individuals stay, migrate with or without the support of migration programs, depending on their siblings’ past trajectories. A longitudinal approach and the nesting of individuals within families allow controlling for unobserved heterogeneity. Siblings migrating without the programs’ support decrease the chances of migration with it and increase the chances of migration without it. Siblings migrating with the programs’ support increase the chances of migration with it and decrease the chances of migration without it. This work shows how DOM populations engage with selective pro-migration policies, stressing the role of family relations in driving cumulative patterns of migration. It contributes to uncovering the way social and political factors interact in contexts of high migration prevalence with increased selectivity of migration and especially pro-migration policies.

Effects of Siblings on Cognitive and Sociobehavioral Development: Ongoing Debates and New Theoretical Insights

Despite social scientists’ long-standing interest in the influences of siblings, previous research has not settled the debates on how relevant sibship size is to child development and whether growing up with more siblings could be beneficial. Using 30 years of longitudinal data and fixed-effects models, this study offers the most comprehensive evidence on how sibship size is tied to cognitive and sociobehavioral development. We also advance the literature by systematically comparing the consequences of gaining a sibling for children with varying ordinal positions. Contrary to prior studies using selective data from limited observation spans, we find that children experience net decreases in cognitive test scores as their family size grows. At the same time, our analysis shows that sibling additions are only important to first- and second-born children’s—not later-born children’s—cognitive development. Even for the first- and second-born, the marginal effect of adding a sibling lessens with each addition. Our results thus demonstrate the time-dependent nature of family resource-dilution processes. For sociobehavioral development, the evidence indicates that having an older sibling is beneficial, but gaining a younger sibling increases behavioral problems for some (e.g., first-born children). Because more children from large families have older siblings, children from larger families exhibit less problematic behavior, on average. By uncovering the complex relationship between siblings and noncognitive development, this study also generally contributes to the sociology of family and inequality.

Direct sibling influence on feeding interactions in early childhood: Siblings as role models and caregivers

Direct sibling influence on feeding interactions in early childhood: Siblings as role models and caregivers

Research Review: Siblings matter. A multi-level meta-analysis on the association between cannabis use among adolescent siblings.

Parents' and peers' cannabis use are well-documented predictors of youth cannabis use, however, relatively little is known about the influence of siblings' cannabis use. Hence, this meta-analysis investigated the association between sibling-youth cannabis use (disorder) and explored moderation by sibling type (monozygotic- vs. dizygotic- vs. non-twins), age, age spacing, birth order, gender, and gender constellations (same- vs. mix- gender pairs). When comparison data of parents' and peers' cannabis use (disorder) were also available in the included studies, separate meta-analyses on associations between parent-youth and peer-youth cannabis use (disorder) were additionally conducted. Studies were selected if they included 11- to 24-year-old participants, and investigated associations between cannabis use (disorder) among those youth and their siblings. These studies were retrieved via a search in seven databases (e.g., PsychINFO). A multi-level meta-analysis using a random effects model was performed on the studies, and heterogeneity analyses and moderator analyses were also conducted. PRISMA guidelines were followed. We retrieved 20 studies (most of which originated from Western cultures) with 127 effect sizes for the main sibling-youth meta-analysis and found a large overall effect-size (r = .423), implying that youth had higher cannabis use rates when their sibling used cannabis, and this association was stronger for monozygotic twins and for same-gender sibling pairs. Finally, a medium effect size existed for the associations between parent-youth cannabis use (r = .300) and a large effect size for peer-youth cannabis use (r = .451). Youth are more likely to use cannabis when their siblings use cannabis. This sibling-youth cannabis use association existed for all sibling constellations, was larger than the association between parent-youth cannabis use, and was similar in magnitude compared to the association between peer-youth cannabis use-suggesting both genetic and environmental influences (e.g., social-learning) between siblings. Hence, it is important not to neglect sibling influences when treating youth cannabis use (disorder).

Sibling influence on musical identity in emerging adults

Sibling influence on musical identity in emerging adults

How Does My Sibling’s Experience with Origins Impact My Own? A Phenomenological Approach among Young Adult Adoptees

The few studies that have focused on studying sibling relationships have identified dynamics between siblings as an important aspect for adoptees, due to its formative influences. This research explored lived experiences of adopted young adults regarding their origins when they have biological and non- biological adopted siblings. Seven adoptees took part in semi-structured interviews, analyzed following Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results showed a positive perception of the presence of a sibling who shares the experience of adoption and origins in the adoptive family. However, the influence of siblings seemed to hinder some aspects of one’s relationships with their own origins. These findings indicate that adoptive parents and professionals should foster healthy and warm relationships between siblings from an early age, regardless of the type of siblings.

Direct Sibling Influence on Eating Behavior in Early Childhood: Siblings as Role Models and Caregivers

ObjectiveDespite the majority of US children having at least 1 sibling, little is known about how siblings influence eating behavior and obesity risk. This qualitative study explored mothers’ perceptions of older siblings’ influences on younger siblings’ eating behavior in the context of mealtimes in early childhood. MethodsA purposive subsample of mothers (n = 30) who participated in the Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories and SIBSIGHT studies completed retrospective semi-structured interviews designed to explore the implications of sibling influences on maternal feeding practices during infancy and toddlerhood. Interviews were conducted by video conference with mothers between January and March 2021. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and a qualitative content analysis approach was used to code and identify themes. ResultsTwo main themes were identified related to the influence of older siblings on younger siblings during feeding interactions: 1) Older siblings as positive role models for younger siblings and 2) Older siblings acted as caregivers for younger siblings. Younger siblings received encouragement at mealtimes to try new foods. Older siblings assisted their mothers in caregiving and feeding tasks in developmentally appropriate ways. ConclusionsFindings may help to elucidate the role of older siblings in shaping eating behavior and obesity risk of siblings in early childhood. Better understanding the role of siblings can aid in the development of novel interventions and anticipatory nutrition guidance in family-based clinical and community care.

Influence of selected social factors on career decisionmaking of grade 12 learners in township secondary schools in South Africa

Career decision-making is a challenge to most learners in secondary schools in South Africa. In this study, we examined the influence of selected social factors (influence of older siblings, peer influence, teachers' influence, and career information services) on career decision-making of Grade 12 learners in township secondary schools in South Africa. We adopted a correlational survey research design. The sample size of 260 learners was obtained using the stratified random sampling technique. The questionnaire that included reference to peer influence, teachers' influence, career information service, influence of older siblings, and career decisionmaking was used to collect data. We used Cronbach's alpha coefficient analysis to measure the internal consistency of the questionnaire; all sub-scales had excellent internal consistent reliability. We used the Kaiser-Meyer-Oklin measure of sample adequacy (KMO Index) and the Bartlett's Test of Sphericity to confirm internal validity. We analysed quantitative data using inferential statistics such as Pearson Product Moment Correlation, linear, and multiple regression analysis. According to the findings, the strongest correlation was between teacher influence and career decision-making (r=.643, n=204, p.01), followed by the relationship between career information services and career decision-making (r =.607, n=204, p.01) while peer influence had the least relationship to career decision-making (r (204) =.514, p.01. The influence of older siblings also had a significant direct relationship with career decision-making among the Grade 12 learners (r=.566, n=204, p&lt;.01). We recommend that teacher counsellors adopt a multifaceted approach in developing career decision making programmes for learners in secondary schools.