| Abstract: | 76 2-child families were assigned to 1 of 3 cohorts that differed in the 2nd-born's age at an initial home visit (5, 11, or 17 mo). The families were seen again 6 mo later. Children were rated by their mothers on 9 sibling role qualities and were videotaped interacting in structured situations. First- and 2nd-borns were seen to fulfill different roles, e.g. mothers rated 1st-borns lower than 2nd-borns on identification but higher on help. The differences between the 2 children on some aspects of sibling roles (e.g., identification) did not change with their ages. Yet other aspects (e.g., help) became increasingly similar, and such changes were attributable to the baby's development. Children's behavior in the structured situations also changed. Some changes were attributable to the baby growing older, whereas others were attributable to the older sibling's or to both children's development. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
