Differing Domains of Actual Sibling Conflict Discussions and Associations with Conflict Styles and Relationship Quality

Four types of sibling conflict were identified in actual adolescent sibling discussions: equality and fairness, invasion of the personal domain, intrinsic harm, and relationships. Older [M = 14.97, standard deviation (SD) = 1.69 years] and younger siblings (M = 12.20, SD = 1.90 years) from 144 dyads...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social development (Oxford, England) England), 2014-11, Vol.23 (4), p.666-683
Main Authors: Campione-Barr, Nicole, Bassett Greer, Kelly, Schwab, Kayla, Kruse, Anna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescents
Child development
Child psychology
communication
Conflict
Conflicts
Equality
Equity
Interpersonal Relations
observational methods
Quality
Sex
Siblings
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Summary:Four types of sibling conflict were identified in actual adolescent sibling discussions: equality and fairness, invasion of the personal domain, intrinsic harm, and relationships. Older [M = 14.97, standard deviation (SD) = 1.69 years] and younger siblings (M = 12.20, SD = 1.90 years) from 144 dyads discussed conflicts during a semi‐structured conflict task. Trained observers coded the topics discussed, and separate observers rated their conflict styles, whereas siblings rated their relationship quality. The proportion of conflicts of each domain differed by dyadic gender composition. Equality and fairness conflicts (and invasion of the personal domain conflicts for sister–sister pairs) were discussed the most frequently whereas intrinsic harm conflicts were associated with destructive conflict styles. Siblings' discussions of conflicts involving intrinsic harm were associated with older siblings' reports of negative relationship quality. The associations between these conflict topics and negative relationship quality were mediated by the siblings discussing the conflicts in destructive ways.
ISSN:0961-205X
1467-9507
DOI:10.1111/sode.12059