Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Why Can’t I Be More Like My Brother? The Role and Correlates of Sibling Social Comparison Orientation

  • Empirical Research
  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Siblings play an important role in relational and individual development throughout adolescence and beyond through several mechanisms. Central to this role and the mechanisms of sibling influence is the notion that siblings provide a constant and meaningful frame of reference for social comparison. This study examined the role of sibling social comparison orientation, or the tendency of siblings to compare themselves to one another, on youths’ depressive symptoms and family relationships, both directly and by moderating links with parental differential treatment. Participants included 338 youth (M age = 18.34, SD = 1.03; 52 % female). Using hierarchical ordinary least squares regression, we found that a higher sibling social comparison orientation was linked with more depressive symptoms, warmer sibling relationships, and more sibling conflict. Additionally, sibling social comparison orientation moderated links of parental differential treatment with depressive symptoms and prosocial behavior toward family members such that effects were more salient for those with a high comparison orientation. The discussion focuses on the role of sibling comparison in the ways that siblings influence one another’s development.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brody, G. H., Stoneman, Z., & McCoy, J. K. (1992). Associations of maternal and paternal direct and differential behavior with sibling relationships: Contemporaneous and longitudinal analyses. Child Development, 63, 82–92. doi:10.2307/1130903.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buist, K. L., & Vermande, M. (2014). Sibling relationship patterns and their associations with child competence and problem behavior. Journal of Family Psychology, 28(4), 529–537. doi:10.1037/a0036990.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Butzer, B., & Kuiper, N. A. (2006). Relationships between the frequency of social comparisons and self-concept clarity, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety, and depression. Personality and Individual Differences, 41, 167–176. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2005.12.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buunk, B. P., & Brenninkmeijer, V. (2001). When individuals dislike exposure to an actively coping role model: Mood change as related to depression and social comparison orientation. European Journal of Social Psychology, 31, 537–548. doi:10.1002/ejsp.76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buunk, A. P., & Dijkstra, P. (2014). Social comparison orientation and perspective taking as related to responses to a victim. Psychology, 5, 441–450. doi:10.4236/psych.2014.55054.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buunk, A. P., & Gibbons, F. X. (2007). Social comparison: The end of a theory and the emergence of a field. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 102(1), 3–21. doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2006.09.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buunk, A. P., Nauta, A., & Molleman, E. (2005). In search of the true group animal: The effects of affiliation orientation and group comparison orientation upon group satisfaction. European Journal of Personality, 19, 68–81. doi:10.1002/per.532.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels, D., & Plomin, R. (1985). Differential experience of siblings in the same family. Developmental Psychology, 21, 747–760. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.21.5.747.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, J. (2007). Siblings and socialization. In J. E. Grusec & P. D. Hastings (Eds.), Handbook of socialization: Theory and research (pp. 309–327). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feinberg, M. E., & Hetherington, E. M. (2000). Sibling differentiation in adolescence: Implications for behavioral genetic theory. Child Development, 71, 1512–1524. doi:10.1111/1467-8624.00243.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feinberg, M. E., & Hetherington, E. M. (2001). Differential parenting as a within family variable. Journal of Family Psychology, 15, 22–37. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.15.1.22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7, 117–140. doi:10.1177/001872675400700202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gamble, W. C., Yu, J. J., & Card, N. A. (2010). Self-representations in early adolescence: Variations in sibling similarity by sex composition and sibling relationship qualities. Social Development, 19, 148–169. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9507.2008.00532.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons, F. X., & Buunk, B. P. (1999). Individual differences in social comparison: Development and validation of a measure of social comparison orientation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76, 129–142. doi:10.1037/0022.3514.76.1.129.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goethals, G. R., & Darley, J. (1977). Social comparison theory: An attributional approach. In J. M. Suis & R. L. Miller (Eds.), Social comparison processes: Theoretical and empirical perspectives (pp. 86–109). Washington, DC: Hemisphere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, A. C., Whiteman, S. D., Fingerman, K. L., & Birditt, K. S. (2013). “Life still isn’t fair”: Parental differential treatment of young adult siblings. Journal of Marriage and Family, 75, 438–452. doi:10.1111/jomf.12002.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J., McHale, S. M., Osgood, D. W., & Crouter, A. C. (2006). Longitudinal course and family correlates of sibling relationships from childhood through adolescence. Child Development, 77, 1746–1761. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00971.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kowal, A., & Kramer, L. (1997). Children’s understanding of parental differential treatment. Child Development, 68(1), 113–126. doi:10.2307/1131929.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Litt, D. M., Stock, M. L., & Gibbons, F. X. (2014). Adolescent alcohol use: Social comparison orientation moderates the impact of friend and sibling behavior. British Journal of Health Psychology, (advance online publication). doi:10.1111/bjhp.12118.

  • Masters, J. C. (1971). Social comparisons by young children. Young Child, 27, 37–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • McHale, S. M., & Crouter, A. C. (2003). How do children exert an impact on family life? In A. C. Crouter & A. Booth (Eds.), Children’s influence on family dynamics: The neglected side of family relationships (pp. 207–220). Mahwah: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • McHale, S. M., Updegraff, K. A., & Whiteman, S. D. (2012). Sibling relationships and influences in childhood and adolescence. Journal of Marriage and Family, 74(5), 913–930. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2012.01011.x.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P. R., Bar-On, N., & Ein-Dor, T. (2010). The pushes and pulls of close relationships: Attachment insecurities and relational ambivalence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98, 450–468. doi:10.1037/a0017366.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mussweiler, T. (2003). Comparison processes in social judgment: Mechanisms and consequences. Psychological Review, 110, 472–489. doi:10.1037/0033-295S.110.3.472.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richmond, M. K., Stocker, C. M., & Reinks, S. L. (2005). Longitudinal associations between sibling relationship quality, parental differential treatment, and children’s adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 19, 550–559. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.19.4.550.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, D. C., & Gulley, B. L. (1992). Sibling effects on substance use and delinquency. Criminology, 30, 217–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schachter, F. F., Shore, E., Feldman-Rotman, S., Marquis, R. E., & Campbell, S. (1976). Sibling deidentification. Developmental Psychology, 12, 418–427. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.12.5.418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shanahan, L., McHale, S. M., Crouter, A. C., & Osgood, D. W. (2008). Linkages between parents’ differential treatment, youth depressive symptoms, and sibling relationships. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(2), 480–494. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2008.00495.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherman, A. M., Lansford, J. E., & Volling, B. L. (2006). Sibling relationships and best friendships in young adulthood: Warmth, conflict, and well-being. Personal Relationships, 13, 151–165. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6911.2006.00110.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slomkowski, C., Rende, R., Novak, S., Lloyd-Richardson, E., & Niaura, R. (2005). Sibling effects on smoking in adolescence: Evidence for social influence from a genetically informative design. Addiction, 100, 430–438. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00965.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. H., & Insko, C. A. (1987). Social comparison choice during ability evaluation: The effects of comparison publicity, performance feedback, and self-esteem. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 13, 111–122. doi:10.1177/0146167287131011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinbeis, N., & Singer, T. (2013). The effects of social comparison on social emotions and behavior during childhood: The ontogeny of envy and Schadenfreude predicts developmental changes in equity-related decisions. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 115(1), 198–209. doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2012.11.009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stocker, C., & McHale, S. M. (1992). The nature and family correlates of preadolescents’ perceptions of their sibling relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 9, 179–195. doi:10.1177/0265407592092002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suls, J., Gastorf, J., & Lawhon, J. (1978). Social comparison choices for evaluating a sex- and age-related ability. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 4(1), 102–105. doi:10.1177/014616727800400121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suls, J., Martin, R., & Wheeler, L. (2002). Social comparison: Why, with whom, and with what effect? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11, 159–163. doi:10.1111/1467-8721.00191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamrouti-Makkink, I. D., Dubas, J. S., Gerris, J. R. M., & van Aken, M. A. G. (2004). The relation between the absolute level of parenting and differential parental treatment with adolescent siblings’ adjustment. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45, 1397–1406. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00331.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thornton, D., & Moore, S. (1993). Physical attractiveness contrast effects: Implications for self-esteem and evaluations of the social self. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 19, 474–480. doi:10.1177/0146167293194012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weissman, M. M., Orvaschel, H., & Padian, N. (1980). Children’s symptom and social functioning self-report scales: Comparison of mothers’ and children’s reports. Journal of Nervous Mental Disorders, 168(12), 736–740. doi:10.1097/00005053-198012000-00005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whiteman, S. D., Bernard, J. C. M., & Jensen, A. C. (2011a). Sibling influence in human development. In J. Caspi (Ed.), Sibling development: Implications for mental health practitioners. New York: Springer Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiteman, S. D., Jensen, A. C., & Maggs, J. L. (2014a). Similarities and differences in adolescent siblings’ alcohol-related attitudes, use, and delinquency: Evidence for convergent and divergent influence processes. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 43, 687–697. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-9971-z.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Windle, M. (2000). Parental, sibling, and peer influences on adolescent substance use and alcohol problems. Applied Developmental Science, 4, 98–110. doi:10.1207/S1532480XADS0402_5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiteman, S. D., McHale, S. M., & Soli, A. (2011b). Theoretical perspectives on sibling relationships. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 3, 124–139. doi:10.1111/j.1756-2589.2011.00087.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whiteman, S. D., Zeiders, K. H., Killoren, S. E., Rodriguez, S. A., & Updegraff, K. A. (2014b). Sibling influence on Mexican-origin adolescents’ deviant and sexual risk behaviors: The role of sibling modeling. Journal of Adolescent Health, 54(5), 587–592. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.10.004.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, T. L., Branje, S. T., VanderValk, I. E., Hawk, S. T., & Meeus, W. J. (2010). The role of siblings in identity development in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Journal of Adolescence, 33, 673–682. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.11.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, J. V. (1989). Theory and research concerning social comparisons of personal attributes. Psychological Bulletin, 106, 231–248. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.106.2.231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeh, H., & Lempers, J. D. (2004). Perceived sibling relationships and adolescent development. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 33, 133–147. doi:10.1023/B:JOYO.0000013425.86424.0f.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors’ Contributions

AJ contributed to this study by working on the conceptualization, analysis, and writing of the manuscript. AP helped with the literature search, data analysis and writing. LPW directed data collection and participated in manuscript preparation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham Young University, 2086 JFSB, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    Alexander C. Jensen, Amanda M. Pond & Laura M. Padilla-Walker

Authors
  1. Alexander C. Jensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Amanda M. Pond
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Laura M. Padilla-Walker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexander C. Jensen.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interests.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jensen, A.C., Pond, A.M. & Padilla-Walker, L.M. Why Can’t I Be More Like My Brother? The Role and Correlates of Sibling Social Comparison Orientation. J Youth Adolescence 44, 2067–2078 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0327-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0327-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation