Abstract
The experience of becoming and having a sibling is a common situation for many preschool children. In order to clarify the implications of such an event for the older preschool child, the authors have surveyed the literature and interviewed a series of families where there was a second or third birth. This is a preliminary communication where a broad overview of the many variables involved is sought. Varied techniques for preparing the older preschool sibling were observed, as were varied coping mechanisms employed by the older child in adjusting to the change in his family status. Fourteen variables are discussed, and suggestions are made for further research.
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Mr. Wadland, at the time he carried out the literature survey and interviews, was a second-year medical student at the University of Michigan. The two senior authors were his consultants. This research has been carried out under the auspices of the Child Psychoanalytic Study Program, Youth Services (Director, Humberto Nagera, M.D.).
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Legg, C., Sherick, I. & Wadland, W. Reaction of preschool children to the birth of a sibling. Child Psych Hum Dev 5, 3–39 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01441311
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01441311