Longitudinaal onderzoek naar de invloed van de kwaliteit van de siblingrelaties op de competentiebeleving van vroeg-adolescenten.

Abstract

Parents have an important influence on the development of the perceived competence of their children. These days there is a growing number of families in which both parents have a full time job. As a result of that siblings are more dependent on each other. The aim of this longitudinal study is to investigate whether warmth and conflict in sibling relationships are influencing the perceived academic competence, social competence and global self-worth with a sample of 11- to 14-year-old children (N = 187). The Sibling Relationship Questionnaire and the Self Perception Profile have been used. Data collection took place over a period of two years. No difference is found in perceived competence between children with or without a sibling. Results show that only conflict in sibling relationships has an effect on the perceived academic competence of first-born siblings. Further research should not look at warmth and conflict as two independent concepts. In addition parental influences have to be included in the research. There also has to be researched if there is a difference between short and long term effects. This research has an exploratory value for future research.