Early adolescent alcohol use and abuse has become a public health issue. Research studies indicate that early adolescent drinking may lead to emotional, social, and academic impairments, health and developmental problems, and even death. This study emphasized the need to better understand the predisposing triggers of adolescent alcohol use…

This chapter argues for the value of sibling research in addressing behavioral genetic issues on the etiology of individual differences. The goal of the report is to provide a set of simple and practical examples of sibling analyses in order to highlight the importance of incorporating siblings in future research. It begins with a discussion of…

This paper describes the feelings and needs of children who have siblings with disabilities from the point of view of a woman who has a brother with an intellectual disability. Eight lessons that adult siblings can teach professionals about the significant, often forgotten, family role they play are outlined, supported by descriptive quotations…

Noting that children's appeals to parents can provide information about children's understanding of the family justice system and the dynamics of third party intervention, this study examined the tattling behavior observed in 2- and 4-year-old siblings of 40 Canadian families from diverse occupational and educational backgrounds. Observations of…

This report discusses the findings from an Estonian study that used the Kvebaek Family Sculpture Technique to compare family relationships in families of 47 children (ages 7-10) with siblings with mental retardation to family relationships in families of 43 typical children. The family size ranged from four to five members, so there were two to…

A study examined family conflicts on the premise that conflict between siblings provides an opportunity for the socialization of justice. Forty two-parent, two-child families were observed in their homes during three 90-minute sessions in which the children and parents were in separate areas of the house. In each of the families, one child was 2.5…

Conflict resolutions that do not accord with parents' positions display children's power to influence both the conduct of conflict and the principles families use in conflict resolution. Forty two-parent, two-child families were observed in their homes during three 90-minute sessions in which the children and parents were in separate areas of the…

Examined within-family differences in parenting and problem behavior in 95 nondivorced and 421 remarried families. Within-family differences in parenting and problem behavior were greatest in remarried families where siblings did not share the same biological parent. Differential treatment was also more strongly related to problem behavior in this…

Investigated associations among constructive and destructive sibling conflict, pretend play, internal state language, and sibling relationship quality among sibling pairs with one kindergarten-age child. Found that specific resolution strategies were associated with conflict issues, aggression and internal state language, and that conflict issues…

This study of 707 sibling pairs, 10- to 18-years-old, examined parent-child and sibling interactions to determine the effects of genetics on family environment. The sample included identical and fraternal twins and full siblings in nondivorced families, as well as full, half, and unrelated siblings in divorced families. Found significant genetic…

Home observations recorded how 33-month-old younger siblings act as third-party interveners in family disputes. Disputes usually involved house rules when mother was absent. Children who supported elder siblings had more harmonious sibling relationships than those who did not support their siblings. Results demonstrate ways in which children are…

Measured the social and academic adaptation of 45 sibling pairs in grades 2 to 5 and compared the results with similar data obtained for randomly selected, unrelated pairs matched on sex, grade, and classroom. Significant similarities were recorded among siblings in their peer relations, academic performance, and behavioral adjustment, whereas…

Presents a short story about an adolescent boy whose troubled family life has led to a poor attitude in school and repeated discipline problems. Shows how the boy finds solace through his drawings, particularly those of his sister who ran away. (TB)

Examined foster mother attitudes about fostering siblings, and caseworker impressions of sibling placement. Found that half of mothers found children placed with siblings harder to foster while half found them easier than single children. Most caseworkers agreed with sibling placement policy, and that children placed with siblings were no more or…

Examined whether the sex of older siblings influenced the gender role development of 3-year-olds. Found that boys with older brothers and girls with older sisters were more sex-typed than same-sex singletons who, in turn, were more sex-typed than children with other-sex siblings. Having an older brother was associated with more masculine and less…