Family factors that influence the sibling relationships in young children

Traditionally, research relating family structure factors to sibling relationships has not described enough consistent findings to provide a firm theory base. In the more recent sibling literature, the hypothesis has been advance that there are perhaps more important predictors of the quality of the sibling relationship than family constellation factors, namely factors associated with the family system. The present study was designed proposing several structural equation models to examine the influence of sibling constellation variables, family variables, and the combination of constellations and family variables on the sibling relationship. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of family constellation and other family variables separately and then in combination to assess the variance accounted for in each.; A sample of 96 families with two children (younger child ages 1{dollar}{lcub}1over2{rcub}{dollar} to 5 years and older child ages 4 to 8{dollar}{lcub}1over2{rcub}{dollar} years) were videotaped in a series of interactions. Videotapes were coded using Q-sorts and rating forms for behavior observations. Parents completed questionnaires concerning their children, themselves and the family environment. Teachers completed questionnaires concerning the child's behavior.; As predicted from the lack of consistent findings in the literature, the exclusive use of family constellation variables was not an adequate way to characterize the sibling relationship. The results of this study strongly support the contention that to study family constellation factors alone would not adequately explain sibling relationships. Also, to study only those variables having to do with the individual characteristics of the child or other family variables is similarly incomplete. The most appropriate model is to study the combined effects of family constellation, individual child and family variables. Presented also is a strong model of family and parent functioning as predicted by the age difference and gender configuration of the siblings as well as their individual temperament characteristics.