Siblings Are Special: Initial Test of a New Approach for Preventing Youth Behavior Problems

Abstract

Purpose A growing body of research documents the significance of siblings and sibling relationships for development, mental health, and behavioral risk across childhood and adolescence. Nonetheless, few well-designed efforts have been undertaken to promote positive and reduce negative youth outcomes by enhancing sibling relationships. Methods Based on a theoretical model of sibling influences, we conducted a randomized trial of Siblings Are Special, a group-format afterschool program for 5th graders with a younger sibling in 2nd through 4th grade, which entailed 12 weekly afterschool sessions and 3 Family Nights. We tested program efficacy with a pre-posttest design with 174 families randomly assigned to condition. In home visits at both time points we collected data via parent questionnaires, child interviews, and observer-rated videotaped interactions and teachers rated children’s behavior at school. Results The program enhanced positive sibling relationships, appropriate strategies for parenting siblings, and child self-control, social competence, and academic performance; program exposure was also associated with reduced maternal depression and child internalizing problems. Results were robust across the sample, not qualified by sibling gender, age, family demographics, or baseline risk. No effects were found for sibling conflict, collusion or child externalizing problems; we will examine follow-up data to determine if short-term impacts lead to reduced negative behaviors over time. Conclusions The breadth of the SAS program’s impact is consistent with research suggesting that siblings are an important influence on development and adjustment and supports our argument that a sibling focus should be incorporated into youth and family-oriented prevention programs.

Sibling Bullying and Risk of Depression, Anxiety, and Self-Harm: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…However, given that we observe an association over and above the effects of multiple family risk factors, our findings argue for the development of interventions specifically designed to target sibling bullying. Existing programs that target the sibling relationship more broadly 46,47 should be systematically evaluated to determine whether they lead to a reduction in sibling bullying and psychological harm.…”

Innovation, engagement, and the evaluation of a parenting intervention for improving sibling relationships

“…Moreover, the failure to detect improvements in parenting practices towards the management of sibling relationships also is inconsistent with previous research (e.g., Feinberg et al, 2013). There are several potential contributory factors that should be considered in interpreting the null findings that exist within the current study.…”

“…On the one hand, they lend support to the role of parents in managing their children's relationships. In particular, the findings provide partial support for previous research that has demonstrated a parenting program can improve sibling relationship functioning (Feinberg et al, 2013;Ross & Lazinski, 2014). The findings add weight to the body of research that showed that the extent to which parents involve themselves in their children's disputes is likely to influence their children's sibling relationships (Brody, 1998;Smith & Ross, 2007).…”

“…A few studies have, however, focused on encouraging positive behaviours. For example, Feinberg et al (2013) conducted a randomized trial of the Siblings Are Special (SIBS) program, a group-format afterschool program for fifth graders with a younger sibling in second to fourth grades. The SIBS intervention directly targeted child and parent outcomes across 12 weekly afterschool sessions and three Family Nights.…”

The Moderating Effect of Sibling Delinquency on Risky Behavior during Emerging Adulthood

“…Current research indicates a strong influence of the sibling relationship on externalizing behavior, whether positive or negative (Feinberg et al, 2013;Keeton et al, 2015;Rowan, 2016). Therefore, sibling relationships can be a source of resilience or contribute to risky behavior.…”