A critical review. Evidence supporting the sibling-tutoring explanation is evaluated and alternatives are presented. Alternatives include age spacing as an explanation for the intelligence discontinuity of last borns, and the idea that only children are more likely to come from single-parent homes. (BB)

The adoptive mother of a large sibling group describes the considerations and problems (differing from those of a single adoption) arising in the adoption of such a group. (BR)

Results suggested that preschool age siblings may facilitate mastery of the object environment by infants. (Author/JMB)

Presents a study of college students' perceptions of parental characteristics. Examines differences in the subjects' perceptions of their mother as opposed to their father. Also examines differences in parent descriptions by sons as opposed to those of daughters. (JMB)

Family counseling helped parents, who had spent an extraordinary amount of time trying to determine appropriate interventions for their autistic son (amid conflicting recommendations from professionals) to better deal with other family problems, and their nonhandicapped daughter's behavioral problems, feelings of sadness and ineffectiveness in…

Siblings of three moderately retarded children were taught to use a prompt sequence and social praise to train siblings in domestic tasks. The training skills of the nonhandicapped children generalized to teaching new skills and the independent skill performance of handicapped siblings increased as a result of the training. (Author/DB)

Examined the verbal interaction styles of two marital combinations to study sibling position differences in marital interaction. Analyzed the content, style, and tone of the verbal interactions between the spouses. First- and second-born couples approached issue resolution with more direct openness than second- and third-born couples who preferred…

Developed a framework for describing and assessing the qualities of sibling relationships by interviewing upper elementary school children and administering a self-report questionnaire to fifth- and sixth-grade children. Component analysis yielded four underlying factors: warmth/closeness, relative status/power, conflict, and rivalry. Relative…

The younger brother of a hyperactive, severely learning-disabled 21-year-old recounts his feelings regarding lack of parental attention, jealousy toward his older brother, embarrassment, and finally empathy for his older brother. (CB)

Findings indicated that (1) when siblings were 24-months-old, their social-emotional behavior displayed some concordance, and maternal behavior was stable with all siblings; (2) significant concordance in siblings' social-emotional behavior was conditioned by stability of maternal behavior; and (3) quality of infant-mother attachment at 12 months…

Measures fathers' and mothers' linguistic involvement in the development of communication between young siblings--infants and toddlers. In a laboratory setting, 39 families, each with a mother, a father and two children, were videotaped in semistructured activities. Results suggest that fathers very actively direct sibling interactions, especially…

Describes a program for families of handicapped children that features educational programs and parent and sibling support groups. Notes that parents and siblings involved in the mutual-help project have uncovered salient issues and have taken an active role in community education and advocacy. (Author/NB)

Reviews and critiques recent research on family relationships of the elderly. Summarizes findings about the interactions of older adults with their spouses, children, siblings, and grandchildren, and the connection between families and community services for the elderly. Presents implications for practitioners and researchers who focus their work…

The behaviors and interactions of preschool-aged siblings in object-oriented and body-oriented conditions were observed to discover if the child's siblings significantly influenced motor skill development. This study focused on categories of sibling behaviors and interactions. (Author/DF)

Describes an historical cohort study of 3,767 teenagers aged 12-16 years, enrolled in Arkansas Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). Results indicate teenagers with sisters who bore children have elevated childbearing rate ratios. Suggests this group be targeted for family planning efforts. (SA)