Links between older and younger adolescent siblings' adjustment: The moderating role of shared activities

Jenkins Corinna Tucker, Susan M. McHale, Ann C. Crouter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Siblings' constructive and unstructured shared activities were examined as moderators of the links between first- and second-born siblings' adjustment across a two-year period in adolescence. Siblings (N = 189 dyads) reported on their depression, peer competency, self worth during home interviews, and their time together in constructive (e.g., sports, hobbies) and unstructured (e.g., hanging out) activities during seven nightly phone interviews. Siblings spent an average of 10 hours together across seven days, about 12% in constructive and 25% in unstructured activities. Regression analyses revealed that, controlling for adjustment at Time 1, associations between siblings' adjustment scores were moderated by siblings' constructive and unstructured shared time. These patterns were most evident in mixed-sex dyads.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)152-160
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Development
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Social Psychology
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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