Many families attend parenting programmes wanting assistance for their children’s behaviour problems and also for managing sibling relationships but there has been little research in this area. The aim of this research project was to assess the effects of the Triple P Level Four Positive Parenting Programme on the quality of the sibling relationships and parent-child relationships with four families drawn from a large city in New Zealand. Direct observation, semi informal parent interviews, questionnaires, child interviews, and anecdotal dated and timed notes were used to assess if there were changes in the quality of target child/sibling and the parent-child-sibling relationship and interactions. The Triple P Programme appeared to be an effective intervention for three of the four families according to final parent interviews. However, analysis of the direct observations indicated inconsistent and varied effects between and within measures.

Body dissatisfaction has become so common that most girls and women will experience it at some point in their lives. Teasing and pressure from family members have been shown to be potent influences in the development of body dissatisfaction. However, most research conducted so far focuses on teasing and pressure from mothers, and neglects siblings altogether. I examined how appearance related teasing and pressure from siblings predicted body dissatisfaction and whether sibling intimacy mediated these relationships. Using survey data from 139 female adolescents, I found that appearance related teasing and pressure from siblings significantly predicted higher levels of body dissatisfaction. I also found significant indirect effects such that sibling teasing and pressure were associated with sibling intimacy, which was associated with body dissatisfaction, although there was no evidence of full mediation. Results indicate that siblings play an important role in the development of body dissatisfaction, and in consequence, eating disorders.

The current study examined associations between perceived family functioning, sibling relational dynamics, and individual's self-reported personal adjustment and internalizing problems among 8- to 11-year old children. Path analyses revealed significant direct effects between conflictual family functioning and children's psychological well-being (p < 0.05). Further, sibling conflict was found to indirectly affect these associations. Finally, significant interactions between family functioning and sibling dynamics were found suggesting that congruent relational dynamics at multiple levels of the family system had a cumulative impact on the child's well-being. Findings from the current study highlight the unique contributions of sibling relationships to the family and the child providing evidence for targeting the sibling relationship in clinical interventions and future family research.

Abstract The quality of life of probationers remains low when reestablishing life in society. Research has been conducted on how siblings can provide support to juveniles, yet minimal research supported how adult sibling relationships have affected probationers' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of the effect sibling relationships may have on probationers' quality of life. Attachment theory was used as a theoretical framework to support the factors relating to sibling relationship types. This research study used a qualitative interview design in order to explore probationers' perspective of their sibling relationship type and quality of life. The sample (N = 6) came from Transcendence Foundation, a facility providing support to probationers in the South Central Region of Minnesota. A thematic analysis was used to interpret the perceptions probationers have of their relationship with their sibling and how it affects their quality of life. Based on the results from past research studies and this research study, siblings with supportive, warm, and positive relationships reduce the negative aspects and feelings of probationers. The results of this study could potentially help probationers increase their quality of life through the development of interventions involving sibling support. A higher quality of life can create positive social change for probationers reentering into society by increasing their feelings of self-worth and reducing recidivism.

Abstract As members of a family, siblings act important roles for their family prosperity in both literary works as well as the real world. Conventionally, sibling cordial love and harmonious interactions are extremely respected and advocated by society. This kind of sibling motif was also frequently seen in plays, fairly tales and folk tales. Moreover, prohibited not only by society but also by the one in the literary works, the theme of the sibling incest becomes a caution for those having too intimate sibling interactions. Similarly, adopting sibling motif as the structure of his two tragedies, The Duchess of Malfi and The White Devil, John Webster applies different sibling interactions from those traditional ones. Both of The Duchess of Malfi and The White Devil end with the tragic ends--their families become devastated and all brothers and sisters are dead. Applying completely different sibling interactions within his two tragedies, John Webster who abandons all the depictions of harmonious sibling interactions may have his own motivation of presenting this kind of sibling conflict and rivalry. For this reason, the main concern of this thesis is to investigate Webster's motivation of adapting the sibling motif in his two tragedies, The Duchess of Malfi and The White Devil and to comprehend his intention of writing this kind of sibling motif. The first chapter introduces a brief introduction of some critics' comments on Webster's plays, the social contexts of Webster's time and the Renaissance plays, fairy tales and folklore applying the sibling as its motif. The second chapter sketches how the family order was reinforced in the house manuals in the sixteenth century, how John Webster altered the historical events to present the sibling conflict and rivalry instead of the revenge plays. What John Webster presents is the complex sibling relationships, which are based on the marriage, the patriarchal figure and family members, property and the class system. The sibling relationship in The Duchess of Malfi obviously establishes the physical concern more than the psychological concern. The third chapter also points out how Webster elaborates the self-concerned brothers utilize his sister to confirm their social status without care as those in The Duchess of Malfi. After comprehending the sibling relationship based on the physical concern due to the social milieu, we may conclude that Webster¡¦s motivation to arrange the sibling motif not only manifest the evilness of human nature but also satirize the reinforcement of the patriarchal family and family order of Webster¡¦s time. On the whole, the morbid society Webster lived resulted in his depiction on the sibling conflict and rivalry in his two tragedies.

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Thesis advisor: Paul Gray / As siblings tend to have the longest lasting and most transformative relationship within family systems, more attention must be given to individuals with siblings with disabilities. Given that young adulthood is a time spent planning for the future, this research investigates the impact of the experience of having a sibling with a disability on the development of future aspirations for young adults. Semi-structured interviews and a qualitative analysis examine the various aspects of the sibling relationship and family systems which affect the future planning of young adults with special needs siblings. The purpose is to understand what personality and identity traits develop from the experience of having a sibling with a disability, and how these characteristics subsequently relate to decisions such as career choice, geographical location, beginning a family, and role accountability towards future caregiving for their special needs sibling. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: College Honors Program. / Discipline: Sociology.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:39:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Doutorado PUC _ Adriana Leonidas de Oliveira _ 2005.pdf: 1153058 bytes, checksum: b28ff2e0de66f6a8eaad6a1b03d3e974 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-05-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective of this dissertation was to understand the dynamics of sibling relations in remarried families. It was developed applying the Grounded Theory Methodology. Fourteen adolescents and adults who have been experiencing the remarriage of their mother or father for at least three years and who have at least one sibling, half sibling or stepsibling participated in the study. The Five Field Map, open interviews and focus group were used as data collection techniques. The theory, which emerged from data, was named Sharing, Constructing and Re-meaning the Sibling Relationships in Remarried Family . It explains the sibling relationship as a dynamics and flexible process, with possibility of change throughout time, determined by the opportunity of sharing life experiences. It explains how established sibling relationships can change under conditions of divorce and remarriage, showing how they can be reinforced or weakened by these events. It also demonstrates that siblings can be, in some cases, important protective agents to each other, having a positive and active role in the adjustment to divorce and remarriage. I explains how stepsibling and half sibling relationships are developed, presenting their characteristics and the most important factors which could affect their quality. It also explains why sibling bonding develops or fails to develop between stepsiblings and halfsiblings. The developed theory is discussed by means of Attachment Theory and The Family Systems Perspective and compared to the current literature. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo compreender a dinâmica das relações fraternas em famílias recasadas. Foi realizado utilizando-se a metodologia da Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados (Grounded Theory Methodology). Participaram da pesquisa 14 adolescentes e adultos que vivem a experiência do recasamento do pai ou da mãe há no mínimo três anos e que possuem pelo menos um irmão biológico, meio-irmão ou co-irmão. Foram adotados como instrumentos para a coleta de dados a técnica Mapa dos Cinco Campos, a entrevista não-estruturada e o grupo focal. A teoria que emergiu dos dados analisados foi denominada Compartilhando, Construindo e Re-significando as Relações Fraternas na Família Recasada . Esta mostra o relacionamento fraterno como um processo dinâmico e flexível, com suas possibilidades de transformação ao longo do tempo, impulsionadas pela oportunidade de compartilhar experiências ao longo da convivência. Explica de que maneira a vivência do divórcio e recasamento dos pais modifica a relação entre irmãos biológicos, podendo contribuir para o fortalecimento do vínculo ou para o enfraquecimento da relação e evidencia como os irmãos podem atuar, em alguns casos, como um fator de proteção ao outro, desempenhando um papel positivo e ativo no ajustamento ao divórcio e ao recasamento. Mostra como se estabelecem as relações entre co-irmãos e meio-irmãos, apresentando suas características e os principais fatores que interferem na qualidade das mesmas. Também explica porque os vínculos afetivos se desenvolvem ou falham em se desenvolver entre os co-irmãos e os meio-irmãos. A teoria desenvolvida é discutida sob a ótica da Teoria do Apego e da Perspectiva Sistêmica da Família e comparada à literatura atual existente.

While sisters of breast cancer patients are at increased risk for developing breast cancer due to their family cancer history and age, little research with first-degree relatives of cancer patients has focused solely on sisters. To address this issue, the current study examined sisters screening and health behaviors and the predictors of these behaviors. In accordance with the Parallel Processing Theory, the current study assessed the relationship of cognitive and emotional factors to screening and health-promoting behaviors among sisters of breast cancer patients. In addition, this study expanded upon the Parallel Processing Theory by also examining the relationship of interpersonal factors to screening and health-promoting behaviors. One-hundred-twenty sisters of breast cancer patients from 89 different families completed questionnaires assessing perceived risk of breast cancer, perceived response efficacy of mammography, diet, and exercise, breast cancer worry, trait anxiety, involvement in sister's cancer care, satisfaction with the sister relationship, mammography screenings, physical activity, and amount of fruits and vegetables consumed. Findings indicated that cognitive, emotional, and relational factors were significantly related to mammography screenings, but not to diet or exercise. Specifically, response efficacy for mammography screening was positively related to mammography screening; while trait anxiety and involvement in sister's care were negatively related to mammography screening. Additional analyses indicated that breast cancer worry had a curvilinear relationship with mammography screenings, such that no relationship was seen for women with lower breast cancer worry; for women with higher levels of worry, the greater their worry, the less likely they were to obtain mammography screenings. Breast cancer worry was also found to interact with involvement in care, such that among women less involved in their sister's care, greater breast cancer worry was associated with having fewer mammography screenings. However, for women more involved in their sister's care, greater breast cancer worry was associated with having more mammography screenings. Future research should further assess whether a teachable moment exists related to the family member's cancer diagnosis and treatment during which to encourage the FDR to engage in screening health-promoting behaviors.