Risk and Protective Effects of Sibling Relationships Among African American Adolescents: The Role of Familism Values and Birth Order
Open Access
Author:
Solmeyer, Anna Ruth
Graduate Program:
Human Development and Family Studies
Degree:
Master of Science
Document Type:
Master Thesis
Date of Defense:
September 03, 2008
Committee Members:
Susan Marie Mc Hale, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor Mark E Feinberg, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor Susan Marie Mc Hale, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Keywords:
familism values African Amiercans risk and protective effects sibling relations
Abstract:
This study investigated associations between sibling relationship qualities and positive and negative adjustment among African American adolescents (after controlling for family characteristics), and tested familism values and birth order as potential moderators of sibling relationship-adjustment linkages. Participants were mothers, fathers, and 2 siblings (M = 16.22 and M = 12.58 years of age) from 179 working and middle class 2-parent families. Two-level random intercept models revealed that familism values moderated links between sibling relationship qualities and adjustment, generally suggesting that youth who reported both a strong orientation to family and harmonious sibling relationships showed the most positive outcomes. Moderator effects were more consistent for older than for younger siblings. Findings highlight the role of cultural values and birth order in shaping family dynamics.
