Sibling relationships as contexts for delinquency training in low-income families.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the link between sibling relationships and antisocial behavior in 208 boys from low-income families. Sibling relational attributes and mother-target child (MTC) relationship quality were assessed when the target child (TC) was 10 years old. At ages 11 and 12, TC antisocial behavior and TC reports of peer antisocial behavior were evaluated. Results indicated that MTC negative relationship quality was significantly related to sibling conflict. In turn, sibling conflict was a significant predictor of antisocial behavior; sibling warmth/closeness was related to TC reports of peer antisocial behavior. Findings also indicated that sibling relationship quality was related to antisocial behavior after controlling for MTC negativity. Implications for interventions are discussed.
Criss
Michael M
MM
Department of Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, 74078, USA. michael.criss@okstate.edu
Shaw
Daniel S
DS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010379:Peer Group; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology*; D012801:Sibling Relations; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*