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Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence 11/2015

25-07-2015 | Empirical Research

Why Can’t I Be More Like My Brother? The Role and Correlates of Sibling Social Comparison Orientation

Auteurs: Alexander C. Jensen, Amanda M. Pond, Laura M. Padilla-Walker

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence | Uitgave 11/2015

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Abstract

Siblings play an important role in relational and individual development throughout adolescence and beyond through several mechanisms. Central to this role and the mechanisms of sibling influence is the notion that siblings provide a constant and meaningful frame of reference for social comparison. This study examined the role of sibling social comparison orientation, or the tendency of siblings to compare themselves to one another, on youths’ depressive symptoms and family relationships, both directly and by moderating links with parental differential treatment. Participants included 338 youth (M age = 18.34, SD = 1.03; 52 % female). Using hierarchical ordinary least squares regression, we found that a higher sibling social comparison orientation was linked with more depressive symptoms, warmer sibling relationships, and more sibling conflict. Additionally, sibling social comparison orientation moderated links of parental differential treatment with depressive symptoms and prosocial behavior toward family members such that effects were more salient for those with a high comparison orientation. The discussion focuses on the role of sibling comparison in the ways that siblings influence one another’s development.
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Metagegevens
Titel
Why Can’t I Be More Like My Brother? The Role and Correlates of Sibling Social Comparison Orientation
Auteurs
Alexander C. Jensen
Amanda M. Pond
Laura M. Padilla-Walker
Publicatiedatum
25-07-2015
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Youth and Adolescence / Uitgave 11/2015
Print ISSN: 0047-2891
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-6601
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0327-8

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