Parenting and Sibling Relationships in Family with Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Are Non-Clinical Siblings More Vulnerable for Emotional and Behavioral Problems?

Abstract

Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBD) are the most common mental health disorders in the school-aged child population. Although harsh parenting is a key risk factor in the shaping of DBD, studies neglect the presence of siblings and differential parenting. This study aims to compare: (1) parenting style and sibling relationship in sibling dyads of clinical families, composed of a DBD child and a non-clinical sibling, with control families composed of two non-clinical siblings; (2) parenting style, sibling relationship, and emotional and behavioral problems in DBD child, non-clinical sibling, and non-clinical child of control group. Sixty-one families (composed of mother and sibling dyads), divided into clinical (n = 27) and control (n = 34) groups, completed the APQ, SRI, and CBCL questionnaires. Results indicated differential parenting in clinical families, compared to control group families, with higher negative parenting toward the DBD child than the sibling; no difference emerged in sibling relationship within sibling dyads (clinical vs. control). Finally, externalizing and internalizing problems were higher in DBD children and their siblings, compared to control, indicating DBD sibling psychopathology vulnerability. Findings suggest inclusion of siblings in the clinical assessment and rehabilitative intervention of DBD children, given that the promotion of positive parenting could improve mental health in the offspring.

Parenting and Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties in a General Population Sample of Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Emotional Dysregulation

“…This study also extends knowledge from previous research by suggesting additional mechanisms that may play a significant role in the relationship between parenting and internalizing/externalizing problems [19][20][21][22]69]. Specifically, and consistent with our hy-potheses, the results indicate that the relationship between high overprotection and low maternal care with internalizing problems is fully mediated by difficulties in emotion regulation.…”

Disruptive Behavior Disorders: Symptoms, Evaluation and Treatment

“…Although parenting style is a key factor in the emergence of conduct problems, research has neglected, so far, the impact of harsh parenting on the siblings of children with DBD. The study performed by Smorti and collaborators [ 5 ] indeed aimed to assess parenting styles and siblings’ relationships in sibling dyads of families composed of a DBD child and a non-clinical sibling, and compare them with control families composed of two non-clinical siblings. Sixty-one families were thus recruited and grouped accordingly.…”

“… Colombia, Spain Universidad de la Costa, Universidad Europea de Madrid Article [ 3 ] Catone G, Almerico L, Pezzella A, Riccio MP, Bravaccio C, Bernardo P, Muratori P, Pascotto A, Pisano S, Senese VP. Italy Suor Orsola Benincasa University, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Federico II University, Santobono-Pausilipon Children Hospital, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation Article [ 4 ] López-Romero L, Cutrín O, Maneiro L, Domínguez-Álvarez B, Romero E. Spain, Netherlands Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Leiden University Article [ 5 ] Smorti M, Inguaggiato E, Vezzosi L, Milone A. Italy University of Pisa, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation Article [ 6 ] Marzilli E, Cerniglia L, Cimino S. Italy University of Rome “La Sapienza”, International Telematic University Uninettuno Article [ 7 ] Fantozzi P, Sesso G, Muratori P, Milone A, Masi G. Italy IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, University of Pisa Systematic Review [ 8 ] Balia C, Carucci S, Milone A, Romaniello R, Valente E, Donno F, Montesanto A, Brovedani P, Masi G, Glennon JC, Coghill D, Zuddas A, The Matrics Consortium.…”