Siblings of individuals with disabilities are a unique group in disability-related careers. This group of professionals has been minimally explored in research. The researcher utilized qualitative methodology to explore perceptions of siblings with respect to their career and familial experiences in the disability field. Findings indicated that…

The research discussed in this article focuses on the relationship between siblings in adulthood and the relationship's effects on the siblings themselves. The report begins with a substantial review of the literature on siblings in adulthood, focusing on the meaning of the sibling relationship, methodological problems in studying adult siblings,…

This study examined the development of imitation under naturalistic conditions. Participating were 320 parents, who provided diary records of imitation by their 12-, 15-, and 18-month-old infants over a 7-day period. Approximately half of the infants were first-borns and half had older siblings. The findings indicated that infants of all ages…

Pairs of genetically unrelated children reared as same-age siblings offer a design for investigating genetic and environmental influences on behavior. Results with 21 pairs support an explanatory model of intelligence that includes genetic factors. Shared environment appeared to have a very small effect on intellectual development. (SLD)

The perceptions of 223 high school seniors were studied with regard to three sibling relationship characteristics: advice about life plans and personal problems; satisfaction with support; and sibling influence on interests and goals. Findings show that adolescents sometimes rely on their siblings for advice. (SLD)

Examined the hypothesis that male homosexuals have a greater than average proportion of male siblings and a later than average birth order, by comparing a group of prehomosexual boys (individuals exhibiting cross-gender behaviors) and homosexual adolescents with a control group. Both predicted results were confirmed. (MDM)

Examined how obligation, reciprocity, and quality of personal relationships affect whether siblings (n=108) provide social support to seriously mentally ill (n=85). Reciprocity was important predictor: more help respondent siblings received from ill siblings, more willingness to help they showed in return. Availability of parental and other…

Seventy kindergartners and 26 of their older siblings between ages 6 and 12 participated in this study of kindergartner's relationships with siblings, peers, and friends. Popular kindergartners tended to have positive feelings about and identify with a sibling, whereas kindergartners who highly rated a same-sex friendship tended not to have…

Children with mental retardation (n=32) and their younger nonretarded siblings were observed interacting in the home setting. Interactions were characterized by accentuated role asymmetries that favored the younger sibling. Competence of the mentally retarded child reliably predicted sibling role asymmetries. Gender differences in roles and…

Examines the psychological adjustment of well child siblings living with siblings with diabetes. Psychological adjustment was assessed by measuring self-concept; behavioral difficulties; competence; anxiety; and depression on standardized tests. The well siblings demonstrated significant internal psychological stressors and maintained high levels…

Examined sibling influence on delinquency in 164 brother and sister pairs over 4-year period. Found that sibling similarity for self-reports of delinquent behavior were highly correlated for brothers and sisters. Conditional effects of high hostile-coercive relationships and older sibling delinquency predicted younger sibling delinquency in both…

Examines the impact of gender, marital status, and parent status on emotional closeness, confiding, and contact among siblings in middle and later life. Using data from a multistage quote sample that includes 528 respondents ages 55 and older who have 1 or more siblings, characteristics of respondents and siblings are studied. (Author)

In the present study, the authors investigated the effectiveness of a sibling-mediated intervention in supporting the social behaviors of young children with autism. They used a multiple-baseline design across four sibling dyads to examine the effectiveness of the intervention. The researchers taught the typically developing siblings ways to…

This paper reports on a two-year study exploring children's understandings of disability. It focuses on findings from interviews conducted with 24 children, aged 6 to 19, who had disabled siblings, exploring their perceptions of impairment, disability and difference. Most were very aware of their sibling's impairment but the majority did not see…

Whilst UK schools move towards U.S "big brother" style mentoring systems for children, are actual brothers and sisters becoming an invisible source of support to deal with bullying in everyday life? This paper reports on research with children aged 7-13 about their experiences and understandings of their relationships with their brothers…