Skip to main content

Brothers and Sisters

The Influence of Sibling Relationships on Young Children’s Development

  • Chapter
Enduring Bonds

Part of the book series: Educating the Young Child ((EDYC,volume 1))

Influences in contemporary society such as blended families created by remarriage, international adoptions, and reproductive technology have expanded the definition of sibling relationships. Bonds with brothers and sisters occur early and exert a profound effect on young children’s overall development. This chapter synthesizes the research on sibling relationships in early childhood, identifies four recurring themes, and offers research-based recommendations to early childhood educators and families.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adler, A. (1927). Understanding human nature. New York: Fawcett.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bank, S.P., & Kahn, M. (2003). The sibling bond. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barr, R., & Hayne, H. (2003). It’s not what you know, it’s who you know: Older siblings facilitate imitation during infancy. International Journal of Early Years Education, 11(1) 7–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berk, L. (2001). Awakening children’s minds: How parents and teachers can make a difference. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bevan, J.L., & Stetzenbach, K.A. (2007). Jealousy expression and communication satisfaction in adult sibling relationships. Communication Research Reports, 24(1), 71–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breslau, N., Weitzman, M., & Messenger, K. (1981). Psychological functioning of siblings of disabled children. Pediatrics 67, 344–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodkin, A.M. (2006). “That’s not fair!” Early Childhood Today, 20(4), 18–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodkin, A.M. (2003). Sibling jealousy. Scholastic Parent & Child, 10(6), 30–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cicirelli, V.G. (1976). Family structure and interaction. In M. F. McMillan & S. Henao (Eds.). Child Psychiatry: Treatment and Research. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Criss, M.M., & Shaw, D.S. (2005). Sibling relationships as contexts for delinquency training in low-income families. Journal of Family Psychology, 19(4), 592–600.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuskelly, M., & Gunn, P. (2006). Adjustment of children who have a sibling with Down syndrome: Perspectives of mothers, fathers and children. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50(12), 917–925.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deater-Deckard, K. Dunn, J., & Lussier, G. (2002). Sibling relationships and social-emotional adjustment in different family contexts. Social Development, 11(4), 571–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeVita-Raeburn, E. (2004). The empty room: Surviving the loss of a brother or sister at any age. New York: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dia, D.A. (2006). What about me? Siblings of children with an anxiety disorder. Social Work Research, 30(3), 183–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, J., & Kendrick, C. (1980). The arrival of a sibling: Changes in patterns of interaction between mother and first-born child. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 21, 119–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, R., & Hadfield, L. (2006). Sibling identity and relationships: Sisters and brothersNew York: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, R., Mauthner, M., & Hadfield, L. (2005). Children’s sibling relationships and gendered practices: Talk, activity and dealing with change. Gender & Education, 17(5), 499–513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foote, R.C., & Holmes-Lonergan, H.A. (2003). Sibling conflict and theory of mind. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 21(1), 45–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fritz, G.K. (2006). The importance of sibling relationships. Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, 22(9), 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gass, K., Jenkins, J., & Dunn, J. (2007). Are sibling relationships protective? A longitudinal study. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 48(2), 167–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giallo, R., & Gavidia-Payne, S. (2006). Child, parent, and family factors as predictors of adjustment for siblings of children with a disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50(12), 937–949.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldenthal, P. (2000). Beyond sibling rivalry: How to help your children become cooperative, caring, and compassionate. New York: Henry Holt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottlieb, A.R. (2005). Side by side: On having a gay or lesbian sibling. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, P. (2007). When a child is unkind to others. Early Childhood Today, 21(5), 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, P. (2006). “Quit distracting me!” Scholastic Parent & Child, 14(3), 28–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegar, R.L. (2005). Sibling placement in foster care and adoption: An overview of international research. Children & Youth Services Review, 27(7), 717–739.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, K.L., Kiecolt, K.J., & Edwards, J.N. (2005). Physical violence between siblings: A theoretical and empirical analysis. Journal of Family Issues, 26(8), 1103–1130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howe, N., Rinaldi, C. M., Jennings, M., & Petrakos, H., (2002). “No! The lambs can stay out because they got cozies”: Constructive and destructive sibling conflict, pretend play, and social understanding. Child Development, 73(5), 1460–1473.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, C., Fujisawa, K., Ensor, R., Lecce, S., & Marfleet, R. (2006). Cooperation and conversations about the mind: A study of individual differences in 2-year-olds and their siblings. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 24(1), 53–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jalongo, M. R. (1985). Siblings: Can they, will they, ever get along? PTA Today, April, 16–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, L., & Bank, L. (Eds.). (2005). Special Issue: Sibling relationship contributions to individual and family well-being. Journal of Family Psychology, 19(4), 483–657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, L., & Kowal, A. K. (2005). Sibling relationship quality from birth to adolescence: The enduring contributions of friends. Journal of Family Psychology, 19(4), 503–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, M. (1978). The development of sibling relationships in infancy: A short term longitudinal study. Child Development, 49, 1189–1196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, R., & Spanier, G. (1978). Child influences on marital and family interaction. New York: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loos, M., & Kelly S. (2006). Social well-being of siblings living with a child with diabetes:A qualitative study. Social Work in Health Care, 43(4), 53–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J.L., & Ross, H. S. (2005). Sibling aggression: Sex differences and parents’ reactions. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 29(2), 129–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mauthner, M.L., & Weeks, J. (2005). Sistering: Power and change in female relationships. New York: Palgrave Macmillian.

    Google Scholar 

  • McElwain, N. L., & Volling, B.L. (2005). Preschool children’s interactions with friends and older siblings: relationship specificity and joint contributions to problem behavior. Journal of Family Psychology, 19(4), 486–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKeever, P. (1983). Siblings of chronically ill children: A literature review with implications for research and practice. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 53, 203–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J.N., & Yavnek, N. Eds. (2006). Sibling relations and gender in the early modern world: Thicker than water. London: Ashgate Publishing, Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, N., & Maruyama, G. (1976). Ordinal position and peer popularity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 33, 123–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mock, D.W. (2004). More than kin and less than kind: The evolution of family conflict. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Modry-Mandell, K.L., Gamble, W.C., & Taylor, A.R. (2007). Family emotional climate and sibling relationship quality: Influences on behavioral problems and adaptation in preschool-aged children. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 16(1), 59–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, K. A., Evans, J. V., Brooks-Gunn, J., & Roth, J. (2001). What are good child outcomes? In A. Thornton (Ed.), The well-being of children and families: Research and data needs(pp. 59–84). Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papalia, D., Olds, S.W., & Feldman, R.D. (2005). A child’s world: infancy through adolescence (10th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pike, A., Coldwell, J., & Dunn, J. (2005). Sibling relationships in early/middle childhood: Links with individual adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 19(4), 523–532.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price, S. (2006). The sibling saga. Scholastic Choices, 21(5), 14–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogoff, B. (2003). The cultural nature of human development, New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rondon, N. (2007a). Sibling competition. Current Health 2, 33(7), 12–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rondon, N. (2007b). Sibling rivals. Current Health 1, 30(7), 22–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richmond, M.K., Stocker, C.M., & Rienks, S.L. (2005). Longitudinal associations between sibling relationship quality, parental differential treatment, and children’s adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 19(4), 550–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, Z. (1980). Children’s friendships. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Safer, J. (2003). The normal one: Life with a difficult or damaged sibling. New York: Dell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, R. (2004). Sibling relationships: Theory and issues for practice. New York: Palgrave/Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaneveldt, J., & Ihinger, M. (1979). Sibling relationships in the family. In W. Burr, R. HillI. Nye & I. Reiss (Eds.)., Contemporary theories about the family Vol. I. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simeonsson, R., & McHale, S. (1981). Review: Research on handicapped children: Sibling relationships. Child Care, Health and Development 1, 153–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparrow, J.D. (2006). Coping with sibling rivalry. Scholastic Parent & Child, 14(1), 48–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staub, E. (1975). The development of prosocial behavior in children. Morristown, NJ: General Learning Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strohm, K. (2005). Being the other one: Growing up with a brother or sister who has special needs. Boston: Shambhala Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, R. B. (1983). Sibling attachment relationships: Child-infant interaction in a strange situation. Developmental Psychology 19, 192–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarakeshwar, N., Lobato, D., Kao, B., & Plante, W. (2006). Sibling relationships in cultural context. Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, 22(7), 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornton, A. (2001). Recommendations: Family and child well-being research network. In A. Thornton (Ed.), The well-being of children and families: Research and data needs (pp. 437–448). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd, M.D. (2001). Linked for life: How our siblings affect our lives. New York: Kensington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verte, S., Hebbrecht, L., & Roeyers, H. (2006). Psychological adjustment of siblings of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Volta Review, 106(1), 89–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volling, B. L., & Blandon, A.Y. (2005). Positive indicators of sibling relationship quality: The sibling inventory of behavior. In K. A. Moore & L. H. Lippman (Eds.) What do children need to flourish? Conceptualizing indicators of positive development (pp. 203–213). New York: Springer Science and Business Media.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Whiting, B. B., & Whiting, J.M. (1975). Children of six cultures. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolkoff, S.R., Schwartzber, N.S., & Meckwood-Yazdpour, J.E., Eds. (2006). Raising young children well: Insights and ideas for parents and teachers. New York: Other Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jalongo, M.R., Dragich, D. (2008). Brothers and Sisters. In: Jalongo, M.R. (eds) Enduring Bonds. Educating the Young Child, vol 1. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-74525-1_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics