Sibling relationships in the context of family transitions
Date
2002
Authors
Bush, Jacqueline Elaine
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Abstract
This exploratory, qualitative study examined how young adults perceive their sibling relationships in the context of their parents' divorces and related family transitions during childhood. Thirty undergraduate participants between the ages of 1 7 and 24 were interviewed individually using the Adult Divorce and Sibling Relationship Interview (ADSRI), during which they described their sibling relationships at present, as well as before, during, and after their parents' divorces. The researcher used techniques from "grounded theory" approach to examine the data for emerging themes and notable exceptions. Although some participants reported increased conflict at the time of the divorce, this conflict was perceived as meaningless and had no significant long-term impact. Overall, most participants felt that their parents' divorce fostered some degree of closeness between them and their siblings. Moreover, many participants felt that their sibling relationships helped them to cope with their parents' divorces. The subtle ways in which siblings provided support for each other were particularly salient in the interview protocols. The long-term perspective of this study demonstrated how sibling relationships in the context of family transitions are perceived as fluctuating over time rather than having static outcomes. The implications of the findings are considered in light of the strengths and limitations of this study, with special attention to further research planning.