Who's the Boss? Patterns of control in adolescents' sibling relationships
Abstract
The goals of this study were to examine longitudinal changes in perceived control in adolescents' sibling relationships and to describe the nature and correlates of three distinct control patterns: firstborn dominant, equal, and secondborn dominant. Firstborn and secondborn adolescents in 184 predominately European-American families participated in home interviews and a series of phone interviews as part of a longitudinal a study of family relationships and adolescent development. Findings revealed changes in control over 3 years as well as sibling differences. In addition, different patterns of control were linked to qualities of the sibling relationship and to adolescent adjustment. The different roles that firstborn and secondborn siblings assume and why these roles are linked to relationship experiences and adjustment are discussed.
Department
Family Studies
Publication Date
12-2010
Journal Title
Family Relations
Publisher
Wiley
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1111/j.1741-3729.2010.00620.x
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Tucker, C.J., Updegraff, K.U., & Baril, M. (2010). Who’s the boss?: Patterns of control in adolescents’ sibling relationships. Family Relations, 59, 520-532.
Rights
© 2010 by the National Council on Family Relations