Verband Tussen de Kwaliteit van de Broer/Zus-Relatie en het Probleemgedrag en de Sociale Competentie bij Kleuters

Abstract

Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate the link between sibling relationship quality (warmth and power) and problem behaviour and social competence of 4- to 6-year old children. Differences between gender combinations were included in this study. Method 987 Dutch mothers, with an average age of 35,7 years, participated in this cross-sectional study. They were asked to fill out online questionnaires about their 4 to 6 year old child. Quality of the sibling relationship was measured by ‘Parent Report of Early SIBling relationship quality (PRE-SIB)’. Problem behaviour is measured by ‘Child Behavior CheckList (CBCL)’ and social competence by ‘the Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation-30-parent (SCBE-30)’. Results Sibling warmth had a significant negative effect on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors and a significant positive effect on social competence. Sibling power, on the other hand, had a significant positive effect on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, but no significant effect on social competence. Results also showed a significant difference between gender in warmth, externalizing problem behaviors and social competence. Conclusion Based on the results there is a link between the sibling relationship quality and problem behaviour and social competence of 4- to 6-year old children. Additionally differences are found between the gender combinations.