Children's Perceptions of Their Sibling Relationships During Parental Separation and Divorce

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Sheehan, Grania
Darlington, Yvonne
Noller, Patricia
Feeney, Judith
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)

Craig A Everett

Date
2004
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

The central aim of this paper is to explore whether parental separation and divorce influence children's experiences of the sibling relationship. In addressing this research aim, the paper draws on the first wave data from a longitudinal study of sibling relationships and adolescent adjustment to parental divorce. Participants include the adolescent children and their parents from 137 divorcing families, and from a comparison sample of 165 intact families. Adolescents reported on the quality of their relationship with their siblings by filling in questionnaires, and by participating in a semi-structured interview. Adolescent children from separating and divorced families were significantly more likely than children from continuously married (or intact) families to have affect-intense sibling relationships-that is, relationships characterised by high levels of both hostility and warmth. Adolescents related these aspects of the sibling relationship to their experiences of the separation and divorce of their parents, particularly the degree of conflict between parents and the absence of a father in the children's day-to-day lives. Results are discussed in terms of the role of the sibling relationship in supporting children through parental separation and divorce.

Journal Title

Journal of Divorce & Remarriage

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

41

Issue

1-Feb

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© 2004 Haworth Press. Please refer to the journal link for access to the definitive, published version.

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Psychology

Persistent link to this record
Citation
Collections