NCJ Number
136181
Journal
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 30 Issue: 6 Dated: (November 1991) Pages: 958-966
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study of 278 white, middle-class, male college students and their brothers examined the influence older siblings have on the younger ones with respect to drug use.
Abstract
Three domains related to drug use included: aspects of the older brother's personality, the relationship existing between the brothers, and the personality of the younger sibling. Since previous research has been limited, this study employed a "risk/protective" mechanism to examine the ways older brothers can serve as buffers to offset risk-taking behavior in younger brothers. The participants answered questionnaire items which were based on intercorrelations and reliabilities and were adapted from previous scales. According to the "Personality Influence Mechanism," the younger brother can be influenced by the older brother through identification. "Genetic Temperament Connection" highlights genetic factors that explained similarities in sibling behavior. "Environmental Reactive Mechanism" focused on troubled relationships between the brothers relating to inner conflict and intrapsychic distress in the younger sibling which, in turn, can cause unconventional and irresponsible behavior in the latter. 6 tables and 31 references