Nonshared Environmental Influences on Sibling Differences in Externalizing Problem Behavior

• NCJ Number: 223744
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 35 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2008 Pages: 863-878
• Author(s): Danielle Boisvert; John Paul Wright
• Date Published: July 2008
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using a difference-scores approach, this study examined the effects on externalizing problem behaviors of siblings’ differing experiences both within and outside the home.

Abstract

Among the 879 sibling pairs examined, the significant predictors of sibling differences in externalizing problem behavior were differences in positive sibling interaction, parental monitoring, and delinquent peer associations. Differences in positive sibling interactions emerged as the most consistent predictor of differences in externalizing problem behavior across most models, with the exception of mixed-sex sibling pairs. For brother pairs, differential positive sibling interaction was the only significant predictor of sibling differences in externalizing problem behavior. Differential parental monitoring was also an important predictor of sibling differences in externalizing problem behavior across all models, except for brother pairs. The child who received more monitoring compared with his/her sibling displayed fewer externalizing problem behaviors than his/her sibling, except when both siblings were male. Consistent with previous research, findings showed that differential delinquent peer association was an important nonshared environmental factor accounting for differences in siblings’ problem behaviors. Data were obtained from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics-Child Development Supplement, which is a longitudinal study of a representative sample of individuals and their families in the United States. The data came from a subset of the study that included information on older and younger members of sibling pairs. The sample consisted of 207 brother pairs, 226 sister pairs, and 446 brother-sister pairs. Data were obtained on parental warmth, parental monitoring, positive sibling interaction, delinquent peer association, and control variables (sex composition, age difference between siblings, and prior sibling differences in externalizing problem behavior). 2 tables, 3 notes, 60 references, and appended items in scales