| dc.description.abstract | Aim: This cross-sectional study examined the influence of conflict and warmth, within the sibling relationship, on externalizing problem behavior of adolescents. A distinction has been made between India and the Netherlands and between boys and girls. Method: 537 primary school adolescents (165 Indian and 372 Dutch) participated in this research. The children were between 10 and 12 years old (Indian M = 10.96; Dutch M = 11.22). This sample consisted of 268 boys (Indian 77; Dutch 191) and 268 girls (Indian 87; Dutch 181). Respondents filled out questionnaires regarding warmth and conflict (Sibling Relationship Questionnaire) and externalizing problem behavior (Nijmegen Problem Behavior List). Results: Results of several multiple regression analyses showed that, as expected, more conflict within the sibling relationship is associated with more externalizing problem behavior. Warmth does not appear to be associated with externalizing problem behavior. The results also reveal that there is no difference, in effect, of the quality of the siblingrelation between boys and girls. Finally, the influence of sibling warmth and conflict appears to be stronger amongst Indian adolescents in comparison to Dutch adolescents. Discussion: This study implies that the quality of the sibling relationship has an important influence on externalizing problem behavior. It also implies the importance of taking cultural differences into account in interventions. The results may eventually serve as a basis for prevention and intervention. | |
