NCJ Number
223477
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 37 Issue: 7 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 860-874
Date Published
August 2008
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study identified patterns of adverse effects and associations with parenting when a younger adolescent in a pair of adolescent siblings exhibited "looking glass self-orientation," which refers to the tendency to incorporate the opinions of social partners in forming a self-representation and approval of one's self.
Abstract
The siblings shared similar orientations in relying on classmates or an older sibling for approval, prior to self-approval. Relying on classmate approval was significantly associated with difficulties in adjustment and academic performance as reported by both younger siblings and mothers. Older siblings were also identified as sources of approval, with implications for adjustment; however, the magnitude of the associations with adjustment were lower than when classmates were the frame of reference for self-approval. Comparisons of the older and younger siblings showed that both were equally as likely to have poor outcomes when reflecting the opinions of classmates or siblings. The study found that parenting characterized as coercive, rejecting, and chaotic in association with the tendency to rely on others for self-approval tended to result in more depressive symptoms and anxiety. A total of 438 families participated in this study. To be included in the sample, each family must have had a child in fifth, sixth, or seventh grade who had an older sibling. Age ranges for siblings ranged from 0 to 5 years. The participating siblings and mothers completed Web-based surveys that measured "looking glass self-orientation," anxiety, depressive symptoms, academic performance, and parenting. 4 tables, 1 figure, and 72 references