Conflict with siblings

Abstract

Relationships between siblings are a permanent type of relationships which have a significant role and impact throughout life. Research shows that sibling relationships are characterized by increased conflicts during early adolescence and that high conflict levels in sibling relationships decreases slightly or stays stable between early and late adolescence. For this reason, the aim of the survey was to identify how adolescents perceive characteristics of conflicts with older and younger siblings. The survey dealt with actual conflicts which included adolescents as one of the sides in the conflict. The method of the recall of the conflict episode, with one week retrospection interval, was used to research the perception of the conflict characteristics. The survey was conducted on a sample of 530 adolescents. Statistically important differences, related to sibling's age, were determined with regard to the following elements of conflict: conflict initiation, conflict resolution strategy, affective tone upon conflict and conflict outcome and conflict impact on relationship. Obtained results show that roles of conflict in sibling relationships are mediated by siblings' age, as well as, by perception of the particular conflict characteristics.