Reducing sibling rivalry in youth improves later health and well-being

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. Sibling conflict represents parents' number one concern and complaint about family life, but a new prevention program - designed and carried out by researchers at Penn State - demonstrates that siblings of elementary-school age can learn to get along. In doing so, they can improve their future health and well-being. "Negative sibling relationships are strongly linked to aggressive, anti-social and delinquent behaviors, including substance use," said Mark Feinberg, research professor in the Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Human Development. "On the other hand, positive sibling relationships are linked to all kinds of positive adjustment, including improved peer and romantic relationship quality, academic adjustment and success, and positive well being and mental health. With this program, we wanted to help siblings learn how to manage their conflicts and feel more like a team as a way to improve their well-being and avoid engaging in troublesome behaviors over time." The researchers recruited 174 families living in both rural and urban areas to participate in the study. Each of the families had one child in the fifth grade and a second child in the second, third or fourth grade.